Four Western Michigan University track and field athletes have qualified for the NCAA East Preliminaries in Lexington, KY. Sandra Ferrari, Mabinty Kebe, Ava Kurczewski, and Laurine Elisa Marimon will compete for spots at the NCAA Championship. Ferrari returns for her third consecutive year in long jump, while Kebe also makes her third appearance, competing in the 400-meter hurdles. Both Kurczewski and Marimon will be making their first regional appearances, competing in the 3K steeplechase and triple jump, respectively.

By the Numbers
  • Sandra Ferrari's top long jump mark is 6.27 meters, ranking her No. 27 in the region.
  • Mabinty Kebe has a 400-meter hurdles time of 57.66, ranking 21st in the East Region.
  • Ava Kurczewski recorded a MAC Championship-winning time of 10:08.12 in the 3K steeplechase, placing her 33rd in the region.
  • Laurine Elisa Marimon achieved a season-high mark of 13.16 meters in the triple jump, ranking No. 16 in the region.
Yes, But

While the Broncos have strong contenders, previous regional performance may impact expectations, as the competition at the NCAA Championship level is fierce.

State of Play
  • Kebe and Ferrari will compete on May 28, while Kurczewski and Marimon are set for May 30.
  • All qualifiers will aim to secure a spot at the NCAA Championship in Oregon.
What's Next

The Broncos will look to advance through the preliminaries, with Kebe possibly competing again on May 30 if she moves on. Success in this round could lead to the NCAA Championship in Oregon for these athletes.

Bottom Line

The performance of these four athletes at the NCAA East Preliminaries could change the trajectory of their careers, highlighting the importance of this competitive opportunity for both individuals and the WMU program.