Six Jamaican men, led by defending champion Ralford Mullings of the University of Oklahoma, will contest the men’s discus throw at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon in June following the conclusion of Friday’s qualifying rounds.

Mullings was one of two men to advance from the West Regional hosted by the University of Arkansas, while four others earned qualification through the East Regional at the University of Kentucky.

In addition, seven Jamaicans booked individual spots at the national championships after finishing among the top 12 in their respective events.

Mullings topped the West Regional discus competition with a throw of 64.51m. Racquil Broderick of the University of Southern California finished second with 62.66m.

At the East Regional, ACC Outdoor champion Shamar Reid of Florida State University led the qualifiers with a mark of 64.22m, ahead of Trevor Gunzell of the University of Alabama, who threw 61.77m.

Chad Hendricks of Louisiana State University finished seventh with 58.30m, just ahead of Alabama’s Christopher Young, who threw 58.26m.

Meanwhile, World Championships semi-finalist Tyrice Taylor of the University of Arkansas produced a season’s best 1:44.35 to win the men’s 800m. His teammate, Rivaldo Marshall, was third with 1:45.10.

Kimar Farquharson of Texas A&M University booked his place in the men’s 400m after finishing fourth in 45.30 seconds.

In the men’s triple jump, Apalos Edwards of Kansas State University registered a personal-best 16.65m (0.2m/s) to finish third, beating his previous outdoor best of 16.53m.

His teammate, Jhavor Bennett, narrowly missed qualification after placing 13th with 15.93m (1.6m/s).

Demario Prince of Baylor University advanced in the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 13.22 seconds (0.8m/s) and was joined by Arkansas’ Jerome Campbell, who clocked 13.42 seconds.

— Paul A Reid