Husky throwers among group of four who advance to Eugene at NCAA West Regionals...

COLLEGE STATION, Texas--In the first day of competition at the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field preliminary round at Cushing Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M, four athletes with Washington ties advanced to the final round in Eugene in two weeks time.

Jonah Wilson (photo courtesy UW Athletics) of the Huskies finished tenth in the shot put to earn his third career NCAA championship meet berth, as he threw 63-0.25 (19.21m).

Washington freshman Jayden White earned a spot to Eugene in the meet's first event, as he threw the hammer 213-6 (65.07m) to finish 12th overall in a meet where 12th (the final place to advance to nationals) is as good as first.

In the only running event final Wednesday, Spokane native John Dressel of the University of Colorado battled the large field of entries, and the humidity to finish seventh in 29:12.07, while James Mwaura of Gonzaga finished tenth in 29:13.93.

The Huskies' Tibebu Proctor was the unlucky 13th place finisher, crossing the line in 29:22.11.

Washington advanced all of its entries (Mick Stanovsek, Sam Tanner & Dustin Nading) to Friday's round in the 1500. Washington State's Paul Ryan & Zach Stallings also advanced in the 1500, as did Tacoma native Jack Yearian of the University of Oregon.

400 hurdlers Cass Elliott and Julian Body of the Huskies advanced in their event to Friday's round, while Washington State's Sam Brixey and Eastern Washington's Parker Bowden advanced in the 110 hurdles.

On Thursday, the women begin competition, while the men resume competition on Friday.

Day 1 results are available here.

NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIPS START THURSDAY

In Allendale, Michigan, the NCAA Division II championships get underway on Thursday, as Seattle Pacific's Scout Cai competes in the finals of the women's pole vault, while teammate Dania Holmberg runs in the semis of the women's 1500.

The rest of the Washington based athletes--Western Washington's Calahan Warren (1500), Hannah Nienaber (javelin), and Aliyah Dawkins (high jump)--all compete Saturday.

The link to start lists and live results of the NCAA Division II track & field championships are available here.

NOTE: The NCAA, and the sports information offices of Seattle Pacific, Western Washington, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga, University of Washington, and Washington State contributed to this report.

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