LEXINGTON, Ky. – High Point University Track & Field wrapped up the week at the NCAA East First Round meet on Saturday afternoon.
 
After an exciting first day of the meet on Wednesday watching Chris Van Niekerk qualify for Nationals in Eugene, Oregon, eight more athletes competed Thursday through Saturday.
 
On Thursday, three athletes from the women's team competed in their respective events. Dae'Nitra Hester kicked off the day with the women's 400-meter race. With a 55.12 second race, she finished 44th. Lindsay Cooper followed just two events later on the track in the 400m hurdles. Finishing 45th overall, she recorded a time of 1:01.22.
 
After a weather delay in the middle of the afternoon, Katie Taylor raced in the 10000m at 10:45 p.m. in the pouring rain. She finished 43rd and recorded a 35:12.19 time.
 
On Friday, five athletes competed in their events, kicking the day off with Auriane Viola in the women's pole vault after getting moved from Thursday afternoon due to weather. Posting a personal best 4.10m in the pole vault, she finished 19^th overall.
 
HPU had two athletes represent the purple and white in the men's high jump. Both Andrew Taylor and Shaun Thomas cleared 2.09m as Thomas opened at 1.99m to clear three bars and Taylor opened at 2.04m to clear two bars. Thomas finished 34th while Taylor finished 35th.
 
Van Niekerk competed in his second event of the week in the men's discus on Friday afternoon. He placed 35th after throwing 51.77m.
 
Closing out the day for the Panthers on Friday evening, Othmane El Gharissi raced in the men's 5000m. He finished 35th with a time of 14:30.34.
 
On Saturday, Sydney Koker was the lone Panther to compete. She jumped in the women's high jump and finished 38th after clearing 1.71m.
 
Van Niekerk will advance to the NCAA National Championships in the men's shot put on June 5th in Eugene, Oregon.