FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Blake Sturgis became the first Vandal javelin thrower to qualify for nationals in over a decade on Wednesday night when he took eighth at the NCAA West First Round in the pouring rain at the University of Arkansas' John McDonnell Field.

"Super proud of Blake qualifying for the NCAA's finals in Eugene!" Idaho's Director of Track and Field Tracy Hellman said Wednesday night. "He has worked extremely hard all year and to see him accomplish this goal of his is very satisfying. Blake is absolutely what we look for in a Vandal, as he is a natural leader of our program. He is very supportive of others and has helped the program get better, so him qualifying for the NCAA finals was exciting to see. Also, big congrats to Coach Julie [Taylor] as she did a phenomenal job this year coaching." 

Each of the senior's three throws was better than the last as Sturgis adapted to the conditions, before finding his form for his final attempt, launching a 72.12m (236'7") throw that moved his name to eighth in the standings, good enough to clinch a spot in June's national championship meet.

The Spokane native has had a remarkable season in Black and Gold, earning three Big Sky Athlete of the Week awards during the outdoor campaign, tossing the second-longest mark in school history, a 73.21m (240' 2") throw that broke the Whitworth Pine Bowl facility record, prior to closing the season by securing Big Sky all-conference honors with a podium finish at the conference meet, before his standout performance in Fayetteville. 

Sturgis' season will reach its apex in Eugene, Ore., on Wednesday, June 10 at 6:15 p.m. with the national javelin final, where he will represent Idaho among the nation's best. 

Keenan Kuntz closed his sophomore season on Wednesday, competing in the 100 and 200. The Big Sky 60m record holder and double outdoor all-conference honoree finished 28th in the 200, running a 20.94 to break 21 seconds for the third time this season, and 30th in the 100, marking the sophomore's first individual West Regional appearance. 

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After earning a regional spot with one of the top 3000m steeplechase times in the nation, Constanze Paoli will compete on Saturday, May 30, at 3:40 p.m. PT.