JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five members of the Navy track and field women's team participated in the 2021 NCAA East Preliminaries on Thursday afternoon at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The Mids qualified a total of five student-athletes – Sam Orie (hammer throw), Emma Foster (javelin), Sarah Morris (javelin), Jadyn Tiracave (javelin), and Ann Jackson (long jump) – in three events.
 
Foster posted the best finish of the day for the Midshipmen, placing 14th in the javelin, barely missing the cut for the NCAA Championships (top 12 advance).
 
"We had a solid showing today in the women's throws and jumps," Director of Navy Track and Field Jamie Cook said. "Emma Foster just missed out on a spot at NCAAs. We as a coaching staff are so proud of these women and what they have done to elevate the program. It was the best year in Navy history and these ladies led the way. We are very excited for Sam, Emma, and Ann – each individual school record holders in their respective events – as they had back to Annapolis to graduate."
 
In the javelin, the Midshipmen had a trio of participants – Emma Foster (Poteet, Texas), Sarah Morris (Mobile, Ala.), and Jadyn Tiracave (Ashville, Pa.).
 
Foster posted the best performance for the Midshipmen on the day in the javelin, finishing 14th overall. On her first throw, the senior posted a distance of 49.70m (163-01), which was her second-best attempt of the season. The distance ranks second in program history, behind her school record (51.97m / 170-06) set earlier this year against Army. Morris saved her best throw for last, registering a distance of 41.97m (137-08) in her third and final throw of the meet. It was the senior's fourth-best performance of the year. In her second NCAA Regional appearance, Tiracave posted a throw of 41.41m (135-10) on her first attempt for her top distance of the afternoon.
 
Senior captain Sam Orie (Greensburg, Pa.) made her first appearance in the NCAA East Preliminary, qualifying in the hammer throw with a Navy school record. In her first attempt at the NCAA Regional, Orie posted a distance of 56.59m (185-08), which proved to be her best of the afternoon. The throw was the fifth best for the senior during the outdoor season.
 
The long jump saw senior Ann Jackson (Roanoke, Va.) competing in her first NCAA Regional. After a fault on her first attempt, Jackson posted a distance of 5.50m (18-00.50) on her second attempt. The distance would be the best of the day for the senior.
 
Three of the five participants – Jackson, Orie, and Morris – made their first NCAA Regional appearance, while two – Foster and Tiracave – completed their second trip to the East Prelims.
 
Day three of the 2021 NCAA East Preliminaries continues on Friday with the second day of the men's competition. Navy will have five student-athletes – Cole Bailey (high jump), David Huizenga (disucs), Julian Perez (3,000m steeplechase), Clayton Thompson (110m hurdles), and Brahmir Vick (110m hurdles) – competing in four events. Live results and live video will be available throughout the NCAA Regional.