JACKSONVILLE, FL – McNeese State's Ben Chretien finished sixth in the javelin event at the east regional's on Thursday to qualify for the NCAA national track and field championship meet in June.
The Cowboy standout, who is the Southland Conference champion, tossed the javelin 226-7 for his sixth place finish. Florida's Stipe Zunik won the event with a throw of 242-11.
Also in the javelin, McNeese teammate Josh Jordan placed 34th with a 195-8 effort. Jordan had joined the Cowboy track team following spring football and was the No. 2 ranked football/track athlete in the javelin in the nation.
Chretien, who will be making his second trip to the NCAA national meet, will compete in that event June 6 in Des Moines, IA.
Six other McNeese athletes will compete Friday and Saturday in the east regional's for a berth in the finals. Mariah Georgetown will run the women's 100 hurdles, Ashley Smith will perform in the women's discus and Jared Crafton in the men's hammer.
On Saturday, David Rooney will take a shot at qualifying in the men's 5,000 meters, Alex Bruce-Littlewood will run in the steeplechase and Thomas Canchola will toss the shot.