Friday, May 24
Lexington, KY
All Day
University of Louisville
at
NCAA East Regional
Lark & Stephens Clinch Berths to NCAA Outdoor Championships
May 24, 2024 | Track & Field
Natalie Lark qualified in the women’s pole vault, while Brion Stephens punched his ticket in the men’s high jump.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Louisville track & field teams saw two more individuals earn spots at next month's NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, bringing their total up to five after three days of competition at the NCAA East Regionals.
Natalie Lark and Brion Stephens both clinched their first career appearances at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with their performances on Friday, with Lark punching her ticket in the women's pole vault while Stephens did the same in the men's high jump.
The Cardinals began the penultimate day of action with a solid showing from a trio of student athletes in the women's pole vault, which was contested on Friday morning after being postponed on Thursday due to inclement weather.
Lark led the charge in the event, posting a final clearance of 4.20m (13-9.25) to finish in a tie for ninth and move on to the national championship meet, marking the sixth straight season that the Cardinals have advanced a female pole vaulter to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Along with Lark's NCAA qualification, the Cards got two personal-best performances from Iliana Triantafyllou and Paris Bond as the pair capped their seasons off on a high note.
Triantafyllou cleared 4.20m (13-9.25) to finish 16th and narrowly miss out on an NCAA berth of her own while setting a new freshman record, besting the previous mark of 4.18m that was held by 2022 NCAA champion Gabriela Leon and tied by Triantafyllou earlier this season.
Bond posted a final mark of 4.10m (13-5.25) for a personal record, finishing in a tie for 21st to close her junior campaign.
In the men's high jump, Brion Stephens booked his trip to Eugene with a mark of 2.17m (7-1.5) before competition was halted after the top 12 spots were finalized. In doing so, the sophomore continued the tradition of success in the event for the Cards, becoming the fifth male high jumper in program history to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Trey Allen finished with a final clearance of 2.14m (7-0.25) to place 18th in the field, finishing his collegiate career as one of the most decorated athletes to don the Louisville uniform.
On the track, Ian Kibiwot nearly pulled off the double in the men's 5000m, running a gutsy race in the lead pack for much of the contest before being tripped up and taking a fall with just under two laps remaining. Despite the fall, Kibiwot gritted out a final time of 14:17.57 to cap an impressive showing in Lexington that saw him earn a spot at the national meet in the men's 10000m on Wednesday evening.
The Cards also saw a season-best performance in the men's triple jump from Grigoris Nikolaou as the junior bounded to a mark of 15.57m (51-1) to place 22nd. Roman Kuleshov also competed in the event, finishing 34thwith a mark of 15.19m (49-10).
The final day of competition is set to begin for the Cardinals tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. ET with the women's discus throw. The full schedule for Louisville athletes on Saturday can be found below.
Saturday Competition Schedule
1:00 p.m. – Women's Discus Throw – Jayden Ulrich
2:00 p.m. – Women's High Jump – Soledad Jean
6:00 p.m. – Women's Triple Jump – Alba Cuns Iglesias
For the latest information on Louisville Cross Country/Track & Field, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and Twitter account at @louisvilletfxc or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
NCAA East Regionals – Day Three
May 24, 2024
Lexington, Ky. | University of Kentucky Outdoor Track & Field Facility
* = Personal Record
(fr) = Freshman Record
Men's 5000m
Ian Kibiwot – 14:17.57
Men's High Jump
Brion Stephens – 2.17m (7-1.5)
Trey Allen – 2.14m (7-0.25)
Men's Triple Jump
Grigoris Nikolaou – 15.57m (51-1)
Roman Kuleshov – 15.19m (49-10)
Women's Pole Vault
Natalie Lark – 4.20m (13-9.25)
Iliana Triantafyllou – 4.20m (13-9.25) * (fr)
Paris Bond – 4.10m (13-5.25) *
Natalie Lark and Brion Stephens both clinched their first career appearances at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with their performances on Friday, with Lark punching her ticket in the women's pole vault while Stephens did the same in the men's high jump.
The Cardinals began the penultimate day of action with a solid showing from a trio of student athletes in the women's pole vault, which was contested on Friday morning after being postponed on Thursday due to inclement weather.
Lark led the charge in the event, posting a final clearance of 4.20m (13-9.25) to finish in a tie for ninth and move on to the national championship meet, marking the sixth straight season that the Cardinals have advanced a female pole vaulter to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Along with Lark's NCAA qualification, the Cards got two personal-best performances from Iliana Triantafyllou and Paris Bond as the pair capped their seasons off on a high note.
Triantafyllou cleared 4.20m (13-9.25) to finish 16th and narrowly miss out on an NCAA berth of her own while setting a new freshman record, besting the previous mark of 4.18m that was held by 2022 NCAA champion Gabriela Leon and tied by Triantafyllou earlier this season.
Bond posted a final mark of 4.10m (13-5.25) for a personal record, finishing in a tie for 21st to close her junior campaign.
In the men's high jump, Brion Stephens booked his trip to Eugene with a mark of 2.17m (7-1.5) before competition was halted after the top 12 spots were finalized. In doing so, the sophomore continued the tradition of success in the event for the Cards, becoming the fifth male high jumper in program history to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Trey Allen finished with a final clearance of 2.14m (7-0.25) to place 18th in the field, finishing his collegiate career as one of the most decorated athletes to don the Louisville uniform.
On the track, Ian Kibiwot nearly pulled off the double in the men's 5000m, running a gutsy race in the lead pack for much of the contest before being tripped up and taking a fall with just under two laps remaining. Despite the fall, Kibiwot gritted out a final time of 14:17.57 to cap an impressive showing in Lexington that saw him earn a spot at the national meet in the men's 10000m on Wednesday evening.
The Cards also saw a season-best performance in the men's triple jump from Grigoris Nikolaou as the junior bounded to a mark of 15.57m (51-1) to place 22nd. Roman Kuleshov also competed in the event, finishing 34thwith a mark of 15.19m (49-10).
The final day of competition is set to begin for the Cardinals tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. ET with the women's discus throw. The full schedule for Louisville athletes on Saturday can be found below.
Saturday Competition Schedule
1:00 p.m. – Women's Discus Throw – Jayden Ulrich
2:00 p.m. – Women's High Jump – Soledad Jean
6:00 p.m. – Women's Triple Jump – Alba Cuns Iglesias
For the latest information on Louisville Cross Country/Track & Field, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and Twitter account at @louisvilletfxc or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
NCAA East Regionals – Day Three
May 24, 2024
Lexington, Ky. | University of Kentucky Outdoor Track & Field Facility
* = Personal Record
(fr) = Freshman Record
Men's 5000m
Ian Kibiwot – 14:17.57
Men's High Jump
Brion Stephens – 2.17m (7-1.5)
Trey Allen – 2.14m (7-0.25)
Men's Triple Jump
Grigoris Nikolaou – 15.57m (51-1)
Roman Kuleshov – 15.19m (49-10)
Women's Pole Vault
Natalie Lark – 4.20m (13-9.25)
Iliana Triantafyllou – 4.20m (13-9.25) * (fr)
Paris Bond – 4.10m (13-5.25) *
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Throws
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