LEXINGTON, Ky. – Brian Schloeder punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championship with a historic, school-record performance in the pole vault, headlining the Navy track and field team's week at the NCAA First Round at the UK Outdoor Track and Field Complex.
 
"Brian [Schloeder] was really impressive, and he competed extremely hard in the rainy conditions," said director of track and field Jamie Cook. "The adjustments he made and the confidence he had in the meet were apparent. That was one of the best jumps I have ever seen, and he did it at the right time."
 
Field Events
Schloeder highlighted the week with a historic performance on Wednesday night, punching his ticket to nationals by setting a school record of 5.45 meters (17-10.50) to place third in the pole vault. Schloeder will be the first All-American pole vaulter in program history and is believed to be the first Midshipman to qualify for nationals in the event since Frank Kelley in 1945.  
 
Cooper Wakley capped his first trip to the NCAA First Round with a 23rd-place finish in the pole vault, clearing a height of 5.05 meters (16-06.75).  
 
Malachi Cummings competed in his second straight NCAA First Round meet on Wednesday afternoon, finishing 24th in the javelin with a throw of 63.72 meters (209-1).  
 
Competing in his first NCAA First Round meet, William Pierce placed 25th in the long jump with a leap of 7.40 meters (24-03.50).  
 
Track Events
Matt Newell, competing in the meet for the first time in his career, opened the track events for the Midshipmen in the 1,500 meters, placing 45th with a time of 3:59.58.  
 
Nathan Kent's quest to become the first athlete in program history to be a four-time All-American began Wednesday in the 400 meters. Kent clocked a season-best time of 45.853 to place 23rd, securing the final qualifying spot for Friday's quarterfinals.  
 
Kent capped his career on Friday night in the 400-meter quarterfinals, crossing the finish line in 46.83 to place 23rd.  
 
"He [Nathan Kent] went out there this week and gave it his all, battling through adversity. The way he was able to out lean someone in the 4x400-meter relay, while hurt, is an embodiment of what Navy track and field is about," Cook said. "What a great way for him to go out."
 
Jackson Nguyen closed out Wednesday night in the 10,000 meters, finishing 24th with a time of 29:36.75. Nguyen ran his fastest split on the final lap, clocking a 1:06.13 for a strong finish.  
 
Dane Eike made his NCAA First Round debut in the 5,000 meters, clocking a 14:06.70 to finish 24th.  
 
The 4x400-meter relay team of Conor McFadden, David Walker, Simon Alexander and Kent closed out the meet with a 18th-place time of 3:04.85. The mark stands as the team's fastest time of the year and ranks third all-time in Navy history.  
 
"It's very difficult to get to this meet, and we had a lot of young athletes representing and showing up," Cook added. "We have to keep getting better, and having more people exposed to this meet shows that we're right there at the cusp. I feel good about the group we have coming back."
 
Up Next
Schloeder will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday, June 10, in Eugene, Oregon.