Senior Miguel Rosario and graduate Taryn Burkett secured spots at the NCAA National Championships after their performances at the NCAA West Regionals in Fayetteville, Arkansas, according to a May 31 announcement. Rosario finished third overall in the 200-meter race with a time of 20.21 seconds after narrowly missing qualification in the 100-meter event. Burkett placed eighth in the triple jump with a mark of 13.52 meters (44 feet, 4.25 inches), earning her place at Nationals.
“I am so proud of Miguel and Taryn, they have both had amazing seasons,” said GCU head coach Tom Flood. “I can’t wait to see what he does in Eugene.” Flood also commented on Burkett’s performance: “GCU’s Grace Grit Glory is defined by Taryn, the fifth-year graduate will tell you she didn’t have a great night on the runway on Saturday but still took care of business and qualified. She is ready to surprise people at NCAA.”
Other notable performances included senior Ben Stratman finishing with a time of 46.70 seconds in the 400-meter race, senior Germain Lemaitre running the 800 meters in 1:48.99, and senior Taliyah Booker completing the women’s 400 meters in 54.83 seconds. The men’s 4×100 relay team finished seventeenth with a time of 39.64 seconds.
In field events, junior Weston Means placed twenty-fourth in high jump (2.07 meters) and sophomore Blake Heller was twenty-first in long jump (7.45 meters). Junior Eva Lowder achieved a top-15 finish in pole vault with a height of 4.33 meters (14 feet, 2.5 inches).
Flood acknowledged departing seniors Justin, Conner, Ben, Germain, Atena, Amanda, and Taryn: “We will say goodbye to several talented seniors Justin, Conner, Ben, Germain, Atena, Amanda and Taryn, and I would like to thank them for their wonderful service to GCU Track and Field.” He added: “While I can never replace anyone, I’ve got some tough work to do this summer!”
Burkett and Rosario are set to compete at Nationals beginning June 10 after what Flood described as strong seasons for both athletes.
The Grand Canyon Antelopes compete as an intercollegiate athletics program based at Grand Canyon University under NCAA Division I rules as members of the Western Athletic Conference; they support student-athletes’ development both academically and athletically, according to the official website.
