Joiner, Hamrick Qualify for NCAA East First Round
5/21/2026 1:54:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
RADFORD, Va. – As announced by the NCAA earlier today, both Jaelynn Joiner and Jeylah Hamrick have qualified for the NCAA East First Round. It's the first time since 2009 that multiple athletes from the Radford women's track and field team have qualified.
"I'm very excited these two are representing Radford on the national stage," Director of Track & Field Shelli Sayers said. "This is going to be a valuable experience for them as young athletes. They are some of the best in the sport and have earned this moment."
Joiner's school-record result of 6.22 meters (20' 5") in the long jump at the Big South vs. SoCon Challenge meet finished tied for the 41st best jump in the east region, earning the freshman the right to compete against some of the best in Division I. Joiner is the first Radford freshman to qualify for the NCAA preliminaries since Aimee Veatch (Hammer Throw) in 2009. Joiner took a sixth-place finish in the Big South Outdoor Championships in the event.
Hamrick saved the best for last, running the 400-meter dash in a personal-best time of 52.81 seconds to take gold in the event at the Big South Outdoor Championships last week. The sophomore's time was just enough for her to qualify as one of the top 48 athletes in the east region. This is the first time the standout has qualified for the NCAA preliminaries in both indoor and outdoor. She is Radford's first sprinter to qualify for the regional since Maurika Quarles qualified in the 400-meter hurdles in 2005.
The NCAA East First Rounds is hosted by the University of Kentucky at the UK Outdoor Track & Field Facility. The women's first round events will be held on Thursday, May 28, with the quarterfinals being held on Saturday, May 30. The full schedule of events (subject to change) can be found HERE.
The top 12 competitors in each discipline will advance to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from Wednesday, June 10 through Saturday, June 13.
STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD
For all the latest on Radford Cross Country and Track & Field, be sure to follow the team on X (@Radford TrackXC), Instagram (@radfordtrackxc), and "like" the team's official Facebook Page (Radford Cross Country and Track & Field).
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"I'm very excited these two are representing Radford on the national stage," Director of Track & Field Shelli Sayers said. "This is going to be a valuable experience for them as young athletes. They are some of the best in the sport and have earned this moment."
Joiner's school-record result of 6.22 meters (20' 5") in the long jump at the Big South vs. SoCon Challenge meet finished tied for the 41st best jump in the east region, earning the freshman the right to compete against some of the best in Division I. Joiner is the first Radford freshman to qualify for the NCAA preliminaries since Aimee Veatch (Hammer Throw) in 2009. Joiner took a sixth-place finish in the Big South Outdoor Championships in the event.
Hamrick saved the best for last, running the 400-meter dash in a personal-best time of 52.81 seconds to take gold in the event at the Big South Outdoor Championships last week. The sophomore's time was just enough for her to qualify as one of the top 48 athletes in the east region. This is the first time the standout has qualified for the NCAA preliminaries in both indoor and outdoor. She is Radford's first sprinter to qualify for the regional since Maurika Quarles qualified in the 400-meter hurdles in 2005.
The NCAA East First Rounds is hosted by the University of Kentucky at the UK Outdoor Track & Field Facility. The women's first round events will be held on Thursday, May 28, with the quarterfinals being held on Saturday, May 30. The full schedule of events (subject to change) can be found HERE.
The top 12 competitors in each discipline will advance to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from Wednesday, June 10 through Saturday, June 13.
STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD
For all the latest on Radford Cross Country and Track & Field, be sure to follow the team on X (@Radford TrackXC), Instagram (@radfordtrackxc), and "like" the team's official Facebook Page (Radford Cross Country and Track & Field).
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