Bell, Bostick Advance to NCAA Prelims Quarterfinals

Thursday, May 25

Jacksonville, Fl.

All Day

Murray State

NCAA East Preliminary Round

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

5/25/2023 11:15:00 PM | Women's Track and Field

Results (PDF)

Kayla Bell and Faith Bostick opened the weekend strong for the Racers at the NCAA East Preliminaries.

Murray State track and field opened their weekend at NCAA East Preliminaries with two quarterfinal qualifiers, Thursday.

Faith Bostick became the first Racer to qualify. Seeded 42nd in the 100m entry list, Bostick jumped to place 17th in the first round with a time of 11.26 seconds. She dropped .38 seconds from her previous personal best that she set this season and is now second in the Racers' all-time performers list.

Head coach Adam Kiesler said Bostick did a new warm-up routine that translated well into her race.

Kayla Bell is the second Racer to qualify. She earned her quarterfinal spot by winning her 800m run heat with a time of 2:07.18. Bell triumphed over Rutgers's Kassidy Johnson and Virginia Tech's Star Price, who are ranked 11th and 14th nationally, respectively.

"Kayla and Faith both ran amazing races in their own way," said Kiesler.

"Kayla ran a great race and did exactly what she needed to do by placing in the top three of her heat."

Rachel Hagans also had a big day as she closed her collegiate career by placing 43rd with a 5.64m mark in the long jump. Hagans completed her five-year tenure as a Racer, competing in the NCAA Finals and contributing six gold medals in the Racers' legendary Ohio Valley Conference Championship sweep, last year.

"Today was amazing and bittersweet all at the same time," said Kiesler.

"We saw an amazing career conclude today for the racers as Rachel took her last jumps for us today. She has done a lot of this program and will be missed."

Bell and Bostick will compete in the quarterfinals along with Meghan Fletcher in the high jump, Saturday.