Over 74 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) track and field student-athletes will compete at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field East Regional  today through May 29 at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T.

The top three finishers in each running event and top 12 finishers in the field events automatically qualify for the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 9-12, 2010.

Hampton's track program leads the way with 14 student-athletes competing in this weekend's meet.  Host North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State will have 10 student-athletes competing.

Two MEAC female tracksters are among the top 25 in their events in the nation. Hampton senior Petrice Richards ranks 23rd in the nation with a mark of 11.40 in the 100m dash. Sophomore Cynthia Anais of Maryland Eastern Shore is 23rd in the nation with a mark of 2:05.84 in the 800m run.

Hampton senior Francena McCorory,the two-time defending NCAA Indoor 400m National champion ,will compete in the 400m on Thursday, May 27. McCorory set an American record in the event during the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships with a time of 50.54.

On the men's side, four athletes and one relay team rank among the top 25 in the nation in their events.  Leading the way is North Carolina A&T senior Calesio Newman. Newman is ninth in the nation witn the 200m dash and 19th in the 100m dash UMES' Allodin Fothergill is ranked 19th in the 400m, DSU's Donte Holmes is 18th in the 800m run, Hampton's Predist Walker is 25th in the 110m hurdles, and Hampton's 4x100 team is 24th in the nation.

The University of Oregon will host the 2010 Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, Wednesday-Saturday, June 9-12, at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. For a complete schedule and NCAA Outdoor Track and Field information, log on to www.ncaasports.com.

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