Pearson Qualifies for East Regional in 100!!

CLEMSON, S.C. ? UNC Asheville junior sprinter Natalie Pearson qualified for the East Regional in the 100-meter dash at the Orange and Purple Classic at Clemson University Saturday afternoon.

Pearson ran a personal best of 11.74 in the 100 and qualified for the East Regional that will be held at North Carolina A&T on May 29-30. It marks the first time that the junior has ever qualified for a regional.

Pearson also equaled her best time in the 200 when she ran 24.44 in that event.

“I'm really happy for Natalie,” stated UNC Asheville coach Jesse Norman. “She has trained so hard over the past year and battled through some injuries. Natalie really deserves to go to a regional.”

UNC Asheville also had Keith Scruggs competing in the hammer throw and he had a solid day with a fifth-place finish with a throw of 46.17 meters. Will Beasley placed seventh in the long jump at 6.35 meters.

Simon Haake was in the javelin and had a throw of 54.26 meters. Dane Corriher competed in the 400 and had a time of 50.13.