A record 20 Cal Poly track and field athletes have qualified for the NCAA West Preliminaries, which will be held at Texas A&M University in College Station from May 28 to May 31. The announcement was made following the official release of qualifiers on NCAA.com.
The group includes Vincent Atilano, Chris Caudillo, Michael Chambers, Tatiana Cornejo, Rory Devaney, Lexi Evans, Ben Feyrer, Alexander Franco, Kelli Gaffney, Bryce Kueker, Travis Martin, Aidan McCarthy, Colby Neron, Melody Nwagwu, Corban Payne, Spencer Pickren, Carson Smith, MacGregor TeSelle, Chase Walter and Lewis Westwood. This marks the largest number of Mustangs to compete at regionals since the two-regional format began in 2010.
There are 17 individual entries—13 men and four women—which is a new program high. Additionally, the men’s 4×400 relay team will make its debut appearance at the West Prelims. The total of 14 entries for Cal Poly’s men’s team comes shortly after they secured their second consecutive Big West Championship title.
The NCAA West Preliminary meet brings together the top 48 individual marks and top 24 relay times from the region. Athletes who finish in the top 12 in each event will move on to compete at the NCAA Championships at Hayward Field in Oregon from June 11 to June 14.
Eight of Cal Poly’s qualifiers are making their first appearance at this stage. Among teams in the Big West Conference, Cal Poly has the second highest number of entries (18), trailing only Cal State Fullerton with 21.
The meet will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with daily coverage starting Wednesday afternoon Pacific Time.
Cal Poly’s lineup includes several returning regional competitors as well as newcomers across a range of events such as hammer throwers Rory Devaney and Travis Martin; pole vaulters Ben Feyrer and Lexi Evans; middle distance runners Chris Caudillo and Carson Smith; sprinter Chase Walter; shot putter Corban Payne; steeplechasers Michael Chambers and Bryce Kueker; triple jumper Melody Nwagwu; distance runner Tatiana Cornejo; among others.
Devaney returns for his third consecutive regionals appearance after setting a lifetime best in hammer throw this season. Martin also broke school records in hammer throw during his career. Neron is competing in javelin for his first regional showing after posting one of Cal Poly’s all-time best marks earlier this year.
Other notable qualifiers include All-American Aidan McCarthy in the men’s 800 meters—who swept both that event and the men’s 1,500 meters at conference championships—and Tatiana Cornejo who set a new school record in women’s 5,000 meters to qualify for her second straight regional appearance.
For some athletes like Lexi Evans (women’s pole vault) and Melody Nwagwu (women’s triple jump), this year represents another chance to advance further than previous attempts. For others such as freshmen Ben Feyrer or sophomore Kelli Gaffney (10,000 meters), it is an opportunity to compete at this level for the first time.
The full schedule runs over four days with Mustangs represented each day. The top finishers from each event will earn a place at next month’s national championship meet in Eugene.
