Pepperdine Track Stars Shine at Redlands Final Qualifier
Elijah Gentry and Parker Buchheit from Pepperdine’s track team hit the Redlands Final Qualifier to boost their chances for the NCAA West Regional. Each ran in a different event, aiming to improve their rankings.
Buchheit kicked things off by dominating the 800m race. The Georgia Tech transfer finished first with an impressive time of 1:50.07. His personal best this season, however, remains the record-setting 1:49.32 he achieved at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
Later, Gentry competed in the 3000m steeplechase, securing second place with a time of 8:58.46. His fastest time so far is an impressive 8:49.70, achieved at Stanford earlier this season.
You can check the full results here.
Current Rankings and Future Prospects
According to TFRRS, the rankings in the West region remain stagnant for these athletes. Lizzy Crawford stands 38th in the women’s 10K with a time of 33:44.39; Gentry is 48th in the steeplechase; and Buchheit is 87th in the 800m.
The NCAA will announce the selected athletes on May 21. Runners who finish in the top 48 in their region earn automatic bids. If the current rankings hold, Crawford and Gentry could make history as the second and third Pepperdine runners to qualify for an NCAA regional. The regional meet is scheduled for May 27-30 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Rich History of Pepperdine Track
Pepperdine’s track and cross country program has a proud history dating back to the 1950s. With six individual national championships and eight Olympians, the program has made significant contributions to athletics. It was one of the original three programs launched in 1937, marking its place on the competitive stage.
Looking Ahead
As excitement builds around the upcoming NCAA championships, fan engagement is gaining momentum. Social media is buzzing with updates and support for the athletes. Following @PepperdineXCTR is a great way to get the latest news and insights.
For more information on NCAA qualifications and track performances, you can visit the NCAA website.
