MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho track and field will be represented by two of the Big Sky's best at this week's NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, as Blake Sturgis and Constanze Paoli are set to compete in Eugene following record breaking campaigns. 

Sturgis earned his spot in the men's javelin finals through an eighth-place finish at May's NCAA West Regional, moving into the top 12 qualifying positions with a 72.12m (236'7") final throw. The Spokane native is the first Vandal javelin thrower to qualify for the national stage in over a decade, and arrives in Eugene following a stellar senior season for Idaho. Sturgis was named Big Sky Athlete of the Week three times over the course of the season, threw the second-longest mark in UI history in April to set the Whitworth Pine Bowl facility record, before finishing second at the Big Sky Championship to claim an all-conference honor. 

Paoli's season saw her win the Big Sky 3000m steeplechase in a school record-breaking 9:50.89, before she punched her ticket to Eugene by winning her heat in Fayetteville by running a 10:02.74, the third fastest time among the meet's four heats. Paoli continued UI's strong steeplechase tradition, becoming the second Vandal in as many years to qualify for nationals, and enters the weekend with the 10th fastest time in the nation this season.  

The men's javelin is set to begin at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, with Sturgis set to be the 12th competitor to throw in the first flight, as the semifinals of the women's steeplechase will see Paoli run at 5:38 p.m. Thursday, June 11. Both events will be available to view on ESPN+.