THE HILL | Alabama A&M University hurdler
Eric Barker will be waiting just a bit longer before his summer break begins as the sophomore will be competing in next week's NCAA Division I East First Round in Jacksonville, Fla.
Barker, the lone Alabama A&M men's representative, logged the 41st-best time of 51.17 at the 2025 Southwestern Athlete Conference (SWAC) Men's and Women's Outdoor Championships on May 11 to qualify for the NCAA East First Round.
The Snellville, Ga. native will begin his quest for an opportunity to the NCAA Outdoor Championships (Eugene, Ore.) on Wednesday night at Jax Track at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida. Barker's opening round begins at 7:20 p.m. (CT) and must finish within the top 24 to advance to Friday's (May 30) quarterfinals. For Barker to advance to next month's NCAA Championship, he would need to finish in within the top 12.
This season, Barker finished third at the Crimson Tide Invitational (51.57) and fourth at the SWAC Outdoor Championships (51.17). In addition, he also won his heat in the 400m hurdles at the SWAC Outdoor Championships in 51.32. Barker was eighth at the USF Invitational (51.97) and 13th at the Georgia Tech Invitational (52.87).
Barker is among eight from HBCUs and four from the SWAC competing in the event, including Ivan Donaldson (Jackson State), Quincy Cherry (Grambling State), Vaughn DeVaughn III (Alabama State).
Tennessee's Saad Hinti and Jevon Williams have the two best times this season in the 400m hurdles, qualifying in 48.44 and 48.77, respectively.
The 2025 NCAA East First Round begins on Wednesday (May 28) and concludes Saturday (May 31). Fans will have the opportunity to watch every event as the meet will be streamed on ESPN+.
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).
