Junior sprinter Allodin Fothergill posted the third fastest time in the 400-meter prelims at the 2009 NCAA East Regional Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Irwin Belk Track Friday to qualify for the final Saturday.

 

Fothergill, a 2008 Beijing Olympian for Jamaica, won the sixth and final heat of the day in 45.94.

 

Only Kevin and Jonathan Borlee of Florida State, who ran 45.80 and 45.84, respectively, topped him.

 

Fothergill bettered his qualifying time of 46.10 in the race and will look to advance in the NCAA Championship in the event final scheduled for 6:20 p.m.

 

Eight more Hawks competed in four events on the day but none could get out of the prelims.

 

Sophomore Thomas Keane-Dawes finished 14th in the 400 in 47.02, while freshman Akheem Gauntlett was 18th in the 200 in 21.45.

 

The UMES men's 4x100-meter relay team of freshman Damian Miles, Gauntlett, Keane-Dawes and Fothergill finished just outside the top 10 with a time of 40.86 for 11th.

 

Junior James Moore was not able to clear the bar in the high jump pit and finished with no height.

 

On the women's side, UMES boasted the only four 800-meter runners to make the regional out of the MEAC. The Lady Hawks represented the conference well as three finished the race in the top 20.

 

Senior Celia Whyte was 12th in 2:10.75, freshman Cynthia Anais crossed in 2:11.42 in 15th place and freshman Eunice Jones was 20th in

2:12.64. Senior Merrecia James was disqualified after a false start.

 

The UMES men will run in the 100 meters, 3,000-meter steeplechase and 4x400 relay Saturday.

 

The women compete in the 1,500, 4x400, shot put and javelin.