LEXINGTON, Ky. – South Alabama Track & Field standout Reuben Booysen punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships Wednesday night as the Jaguars opened competition at the NCAA East First Round in Lexington, Ky.
Booysen secured his spot in Eugene, Ore., with a throw of 69.22 meters (227-1) in the men's javelin, finishing sixth overall to earn one of 12 qualifying positions for the NCAA Championships. He became the first Jaguar to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships since Francois Prinsloo captured the NCAA National Championship in the discus in 2024.
South Alabama saw five additional athletes compete on the opening day of the regional meet. In the men's hammer throw, Samuel Mika posted a mark of 60.97 meters (200-0) to finish 38th overall in the event.
The Jaguars also had three competitors in the pole vault, where Terek Logan narrowly missed qualifying for Eugene after clearing 5.35 meters (17-6.5) to place 15th overall. Will Frederick and Grayson Venezia also represented South Alabama in the event.
On the track, freshman Nieko Garnes closed out the night for the Jaguars with a 39th-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles, crossing the line in 51.99 during the opening round.
Up Next
South Alabama returns to action Thursday at the NCAA East First Round as the Jaguar women take center stage. Dianna Goodman (Pole Vault), Ava Grace Wheaton (Javelin), and Iyana Johnson (Hammer Throw) are all scheduled to compete in Lexington.
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