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Rutgers sent twelve track and field athletes to the NCAA East Regional this past weekend in Tampa, Florida. It was the qualifiying meet for the NCAA Championships taking place in Eugene, Oregon in two weeks. Those considered to have thr best chance to advance did so, while seven athletes saw their 2018 Outdoor season come to an end. Here is a full recap of this weekend’s results.
Rudy Winkler
The defending NCAA national champion at the Hammer Throw and recent Big Ten champion and record holder, Winkler took care of business this weekend. He finished 3rd at this meet to qualify for the NCAA Championships, where the Cornell grad transfer will try and win his second consecutive national title.
Watch Rudy Winkler's throw at East Prelims to advance to the #NCAATF hammer throw finals! Winkler set to defend his title in Eugene! pic.twitter.com/sCwQzhh9vc
— Rutgers Men's TF/XC (@Rutgers_MensTF) May 24, 2018
Taj Burgess
The freshman continued his stellar debut outdoor season by qualifying for the NCAA Championships with a come from behind effort in his 400 meter race. After finishing in second place at the Big Ten Championships two weeks ago, Burgess will look to make a name for himself on the national scene at historic Hayward Field in early June.
Taj Burgess comes from behind with a big kick to punch his ticket to Eugene in the 400m! The freshman clocked a 45.88 in the #NCAATF East quarterfinal to move on! pic.twitter.com/8QQXHkuTFG
— Rutgers Men's TF/XC (@Rutgers_MensTF) May 25, 2018
Boaz Madeus
FloTrack predicted Madeus would advance out of this weekend’s field and he proved them right by advancing in the 400 meter hurdles. Madeus teamed with fellow freshman Burgess on the track to advance Rutgers in another event as well.
Boaz Madeus posts a personal best time of 50.79 in the 400m hurdles and advances to Eugene! He becomes the third Scarlet Knight to qualify out of the #NCAATF East Prelims in the last two days! #RUMTF pic.twitter.com/6Kd9KQUDi1
— Rutgers Men's TF/XC (@Rutgers_MensTF) May 25, 2018
4X400 Relay Team
Burgess, Madeus, Jermaine Griffith, and Izaiah Brown continued their strong season as a team by advancing to the NCAA Championships in the 4X400 relay race. Rutgers finished second in their respective heat behind LSU, who ran the best time of the entire field. After finished second at the Big Ten Championships, Rutgers will look to make a statement in Eugene by competing against the best of the best.
#RUMTF 4x400 relay team is off to Eugene!! The quartet of Jermaine Griffith, Izaiah Brown, Boaz Madeus, and Taj Burgess post a time of 3:06.77 to qualify out of the #NCAATF East Preliminary! pic.twitter.com/rG2CXWPuo9
— Rutgers Men's TF/XC (@Rutgers_MensTF) May 26, 2018
Overall, it was a solid showing for Rutgers at the NCAA East Regional. They’ll head to the NCAA Outdoor Championships with the defending national champion in the Hammer Throw in Winkler, two upstart freshman on the track and a strong relay team in the 4X400. The meet takes place on June 6th through 9th and we’ll preview the Championships ahead of the action.
Results For Remainder of Rutgers Athletes
Javelin - Matt Krezmer finished 32nd and Greg Harnett was 36th in the field.
Triple Jump - Malachi Davis finished 40th; Bryanna Grant was 33rd on the women’s side.
High Jump - Rhonda Rogombe finished 40th.
Discus - John Mooers finished 28th.