Faith Thompson

MANHATTAN, NY - Senior Faith Thompson’s (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) third-place finish in the hammer throw highlighted the University at Buffalo track and field team’s performance on day one of the NCAA Track and Field East Regionals at Icahn Stadium in Manhattan, NY.

Thompson now advances to the NCAA Championships for the first time in her career. Her mark of 199-6 (60.80m) broke her own school record and previous season high of 198-10 (60.60m). Junior Sarah Vance (Lockport, NY/Lockport) placed 13th in the event at 168-2 (51.25m).

On the men’s side, freshman Mike Giordano (Springville, NY/Springville) finished 17th in the shot put with a mark of 52-9.25 (16.08m).

Celestine Coney

The Bulls also had three track athletes who competed in the preliminaries of their events but did not advance to Saturday’s finals. Leading the way was junior Celestine Coney (Lyons, NY/Lyons) who broke her own school record in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.61, good for 15th overall. Sophomore Brian Heim (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) placed 20th in the men’s 400-meter hurdles in 52.48, and junior Todd Joki (Saratoga Springs, NY/Schuylerville) finished 25th in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.55.

The NCAA East Regionals conclude on Saturday. Vance will compete in the shot put and discus, Thompson will compete in the shot put and freshman Vanessa Roelofsen (Alma, Ontario/Norwell District SS) will compete in the javelin to round out Buffalo’s field event competitors.

The top five finishers in each event at this weekend’s four regional meets (East, Mid-East, West, Mid-West), as well as a to-be-determined number of "at-large" selections based on the NCAA descending order list following the regional meets, advance to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, CA from Wednesday, June 8 through Saturday, June 11.