GREENSBORO, N.C. – A trio of University of South Alabama track and field team members wrapped up their seasons while another completed the first of two events on day one of the NCAA Division I East Region preliminary round of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Irwin Belk Track Thursday.
 
Jan-Louw Kotze recorded a top mark of 53.51m in the men’s discus throw to place 15^th overall, just three spots out of the top 12 who will advance to the NCAA finals.  That effort marked the end of a season in which the freshman captured six individual victories in the event – including a gold medal at the Sun Belt Conference Championships two weeks ago – and set a new school record (57.60m) at the Jaguar Invitational in March.
 
In the men’s pole vault, recent all-SBC honoree Connor Smith (39^th, 5.03m) cleared 4.90m to finish in a tie for 35^th.  Nick Farrell (48^th, 4.95m) failed to clear 4.75m on his three attempts.  Smith and Farrell end the season ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, on USA’s all-time record list in the event.
 
“All of those guys had really good seasons for us,” said head track and field coach Paul Brueske.  “They’ve worked hard all season long and performed well to make it here.  It’s exciting because all three of them will be back next year and having that kind of talent returning really bodes well for the future of our program.”
 
Shayna McCarver represented the Lady Jags in the women’s long jump, finishing with a top leap of 5.67m to place 42^nd overall.  The senior entered the competition seeded 23^rd after posting a 6.16m mark at the SBC Championships.  McCarver will return to action Saturday when she will compete as the 39^th seed (12.54m) in the triple jump.
 
“Shayna had some really good attempts today,” Brueske said.  “She certainly earned her way here after a really strong showing at the conference meet.  She’s still got the triple jump ahead of her on Saturday, and I think she’ll come out fired up and ready to go.”
 
Preliminary round action will resume Friday, beginning with the women’s hammer throw at 9 a.m.  Bobbie Williamson, the Jaguars’ lone day-two representative, will compete in the event as the 31^st seed with a top mark of 57.18m.
 
Final results will be posted on the Jaguar athletics website following the conclusion of each day of competition.  Live results can be accessed here.
 
Day One Results
Schedule of Events
Meet Information
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
 
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