Two Falcons Prepare for NCAA Championships
6/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
June 9, 2008
Two members of the Air Force track and field team will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, for the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships on June 11-14. Sophomore Nick Frawley earned an automatic entry to the national meet, while senior Kevin Hawkins received an at-large berth, based on their finishes at the recent regional competition.
Meet Notes: at NCAA Championships 
SCHEDULING 101
The qualifying round of pole vault competition will take place at 4:15 p.m. (CST) on Wednesday, June 11, with the top finalists advancing to the championship round at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, June 13. Heats of the 800-meter run will take place on Wednesday, June 11 (5:15-qualifying), Thursday, June 12 (6:25-semifinals) and Saturday, June 14 (3:28-finals).
HOW THEY GOT THERE
Nick Frawley automatically qualified for the national meet with a third-place finish in the pole vault. Kevin Hawkins, who finished sixth in the 800-meter run, earned an at-large berth to the national meet.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
Clearing the bar at 17'5", Nick Frawley was just shy of his personal-best outdoor mark at the regional meet. That was Frawley's best clearance of the season by two inches.
STAYING ON TOP
Kevin Hawkins clocked an Academy record time of 1:48.62 to finish sixth in the 800-meter run, besting his own record (1:48.66) that he set last year in the regional preliminary meet. Hawkins is the only member of the men's team to post a program standard this season.
A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON
Nick Frawley is making his second straight appearance at the national outdoor meet and his third championship appearance overall (2008 indoor championships). Kevin Hawkins is making his second trip to the outdoor championships, after also attending as a sophomore.
LAST YEAR AT THE NATIONAL MEET
Then-senior Brian Walsh finished 12th in the decathlon with 7,207 points, while Nick Frawley placed 17th in the pole vault (16'4¾") in his NCAA Championship debut.
FALCONS CLAIM ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Senior Kenny Grosselin and sophomore Brittany Morreale were named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® University Division Track and Field/Cross Country All-District VII Team, as selected by CoSIDA on June 5. Grosselin received first-team status in the district and will be on the ballot for Academic All-America® status.
HONORING ITS OWN
Several members of the Air Force track and field program were honored, as the team handed out its yearly awards at the end-of-season banquet. Senior Travis Picou and sophomore Sara Neubauer shared the MVP honor, while senior Ian McFarland and sophomore Melissa Beerse earned the Outstanding Competitor distinction.
ALL-REGION RECOGNITION
Two Falcons were named to the All-Midwest Region team following their top-eight performances at the regional championships in Lincoln, Neb., the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced. Sophomore Nick Frawley and senior Kevin Hawkins both claimed their second consecutive all-region award.
WHAT'S ON DECK
While the collegiate season will officially come to a close with the national championships, but several current and former members of the Air Force program will travel to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, which will be held June 27-July 6 in Eugene, Ore.
Players Mentioned
