The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will have 21 track and field student-athletes compete at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, beginning today through Saturday, June 13 in Fayetteville Arkansas.

Bethune-Cookman sophomore Ronnie Ash will look to sweep this year’s hurdling titles after winning the gold in the 60m hurdles during the indoor season. Ash is currently listed second in the nation with a time of 13.42 in the 110m hurdle event.

DSU’s Donte Holmes advanced to the nationals for the second straight year after a third-place finish in the East Regional 800 meter run. His time of 1:49.61 currently ranks him ninth in the nation. Teammate Leslie Murray, the 2009 400m Hurdle MEAC Outdoor Champion, clocked a school record time of 50.22 at the East Regional to advance to his first national championship.

On the women’s side, Hampton junior Francena McCorory is fourth in the nation and in the 400m dash with a time of 51.75 recorded at the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

North Carolina A&T senior sprinter Alexandria Spruiel also qualified for the nationals in the 400m dash with a time of 51.95. Teammate Loreal Smith is ranked ninth in the nation in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.14 that she recorded at this year’s MEAC Outdoor Championships.

The 2009 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field East Regional Championships begin Wednesday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m. (EST) For a complete schedule, log on to www.ncaa.com.

For more information on MEAC Track and Field or other sponsored sports, log on to www.MEACsports.com.