JONESBORO, Ark. (5/17/12) - The Arkansas State track & field teams will send eight athletes to compete in nine events to the upcoming NCAA West Preliminary round hosted by the University of Texas May 24-26 in Austin, Texas.

Each event will have 48 competitors during the preliminary round and the top 12 finishers in each event will advance to the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships which will be held in Des Moines, Iowa at Drake Stadium June 6-9.

Sophomore sprinter Sharika Nelvis enters the completion as the No. 7 qualifier in the 100-meter dash and the No. 9 qualifier in the 100-meter hurdles.

Sophomore thrower Richard Chavez enters the competition as the No. 12 qualifier, and top among the ASU men's squad in the shot put. Fellow sophomore thrower Chris Nicasio, enters the hammer throw as the No. 15 qualifier and senior sprinter Solomon Williams was the No. 16 qualifier in the men's 110-meter hurdles.

Sophomore sprinter Joey Meyer enters the competition as the No. 27 qualifier in the 400-meter run, while junior Julia Agawu enters as the No. 28 qualifier in the women's discus.

Sophomore pole vaulter Ethan Sandusky enters competition in Austin as the No. 32 qualifier while sophomore William Oliver enters competition in the men's long jump as the No. 48 qualifier.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the NCAA West Preliminary round visit Texas' athletics website at http://www.texassports.com/ot/2012-ncaa-tf-west-prelims.html

MEN:

400m - Joey Meyer (27)

110 H - Solomon Williams (16)

Pole Vault - Ethan Sandusky (32)

Long Jump - William Oliver (48)

Shot Put - Richard Chavez (12)

Hammer Throw - Chris Nicasio (15)

WOMEN:

100m - Sharika Nelvis (7)

100 H - Sharika Nelvis (9)

Discus - Julia Agawu (28)