Track & Field Preview: NCAA East Preliminaries

Teleda Williams and Pache’ Caldwell will each compete in two events.

5/22/2023 8:51:00 AM

What: NCAA East Preliminary Round
When: May 24-27
Where: JAX Track at Hodges Stadium (University of North Florida) | Jacksonville, Fla.

For the second time in as many years, the Florida A&M track and field program will send two to the NCAA East Preliminaries. A season ago, Rachel Robertson and Jaylyn Scott qualified for the regional meet; and this go-around, it's Teleda Williams and Pache' Caldwell who will represent Green and Orange. Each will compete in two events – Williams in the 200-and-400-meter dashes and Caldwell in the long and high jumps.

The University of North Florida will host the preliminary meet in Jacksonville, Fla. The "Top 12" performers advance to the NCAA Championships held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas (June 7-10). Robertson punched her ticket to the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, marking back-to-back seasons with FAMU representation at the national meet. Williams and Caldwell look to make it three straight.

All four days of competition in JAX will live streamed on ESPN+.

Teleda Williams | Graduate Student | Las Vegas, Nev.

Fresh off a three-medal performance at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships (May 4-6), Williams is enjoying a stellar debut season with Florida A&M. The graduate student earned a spot in the NCAA East Preliminary with a first-place finish in the 400 that also captured a new personal record (53.50). She finished second in the 200-meter final, and her time of 23.45 at the UNF East Coast Relays (April 28-29) – which will serve as the same site as the upcoming meet – secured her qualification in the regional event.

Pache' Caldwell | Graduate Student | Atlanta, Ga.

Caldwell has been sitting "Top 35" in the east for most of the 2023 season. The graduate lept a collegiate-best 7.53 meters (24' 8.5") in the long jump at the UNF River City Spring Break Classic (March 16-17) and more recently secured his high jump qualification with a 2.10-meter effort (6' 10.75") at the East Coast Relays.

For Caldwell, the regional appearance will also mark his postseason debut. Williams participated in the NCAA West Preliminary Round a season ago while at TCU.

NCAA East Qualifying List
To reach the first round of the national championships (the NCAA East and West Preliminaries), the Rattlers had to finish in the "Top 48" of their event within their region.

Pache' Caldwell
High Jump | 2.10m | 31/48
Long Jump | 7.53m | 43/48

Teleda Williams
400m | 53.50 | 40/48
200m | 23.45 | 48/48

Dajon Clark, unfortunately, a late scratch due to injury, would have also qualified in the long jump. He currently sits No. 24 on the final NCAA Division I Qualifying List.

NCAA East Preliminary Schedule

Wednesday, May 24 | LJ | 6 p.m.
Thursday, May 25 | 400M (First Round) | 7:25 p.m.
Thursday, May 25 | 200M (First Round) | 8:45 p.m.
Friday, May 26 | HJ | 2:30 p.m.
*Saturday, May 27 | 400M (Quarterfinals) | 6:50 p.m.
*Saturday, May 27 | 200M (Quarterfinals) | 7:50 p.m.
*Must advance from first round

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