HUNTSVILLE--- The NCAA released the top 48 student-athletes who have qualified and were declared for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships preliminary competitions that are hosted by the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. 

The meet is scheduled to begin on May 24, 2018 with the Men's Hammer Throw at 11:30 a.m. and conclude on May 26, 2018 with the Women 4x400 meter relay at 9:45 p.m.  The top performers in each event will then advance to the final rounds of the national Championships held in Eugene, Oregon in June. 

 The Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University will send four individual athletes on the men side, who will participate in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter hurdles and the long jump in the three day event. 

 Sophomore Alex Ward qualified with the 13th fastest time in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 51.22.  "Qualifying for Regionals motivated me to reach for the stars," Ward stated. "Qualifying at last year Regionals was just an experience, so this year I worked hard to get passed this level and make it to Nationals.  Going into the meet, I am looking forward to running my personal best and just running in the atmosphere with some of the best athletes in the nation."

 Sophomore Tre' Williams has also qualified in the 400 meter hurdles along with teammate Ward in the 34th position with a time of 51.91.  "Qualifying for the next level is always exciting, but making it to this level last year was the experience that I needed for this year," Williams stated.  "I am looking forward to making it to the next round and striving for one of those National spots. I am ready for whatever and whoever when the time comes.  It will be another great experience."

 Junior DeAndre Baker qualified for the Long Jump in the 46th spot with a jump of 7.49 meters (24'6).  "Regionals is what we train all year for.  I have wanted to go to Regionals since my freshman year and now I finally have the opportunity," Baker stated.  "Being around other athletes who have been there and training with them every day has given me the push to make it.  I can honestly say that being on this team has pushed me to new limits and going into Regionals is one of the results of that."

 "I am looking forward to competing with some of the best in the world at Regionals.  I am also looking forward to not only what the season still holds for me, but what this will mean for my stats next year," Baker stated.

 The regional veteran, Senior DeTorrian Green qualified both in the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash.  This is Green's third time attending the regional meets in hopes to making it to the final round.  Green qualified in the 100 meter dash in the 40th spot with a time of 10.34 and in the 41st position in the 200 meter dash with a time of 20.88. 

 "Qualifying for Regionals this year was a lot harder than usual.  A lot of great athletes were running extremely fast on the east side, but Coach Jones prepared me to push even harder and run faster," Green commented. "I am definitely looking forward to making it to Nationals for my senior year and breaking the 100 meter dash record for the school.  This is all or nothing year."