May 25, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas - Lamar University seniors Tom Wade and Joe Wade advanced to next month's NCAA Track and Field Championships, while Ashley Idunoba just missed out on her chance to go.

The Wades finished 2-3 in their heat of the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA West Regional Preliminaries to punch their ticket to the national championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Idunoba was second in her heat in the first round of the women's 200 meters to advance to Saturday's second round. The top 12 finishers in tomorrow's round will head to Des Moines.

Tom Wade was second in his heat in 8 minutes, 54.89 seconds, while Joe Wade, competing in the same heat was clocked in 8:58.52.

Tom Wade will be making his second straight appearance at the national championships. He earned honorable mention All-America status in the steeplechase last year.

Idunoba posted a time of 23.92 seconds in Friday's round. She was one of 27 runners to move on to Saturday's round, but was eliminated in the second round after placing 24th in a time of 24.25 seconds. The top 12 advanced.

The NCAA Championships are scheduled for June 6-9 at Drake University.

LAMAR