Eight track and field Bulldogs competed at the NCAA East Regional, hosted by Indiana University May 26-28, and one, Kate Grace ’11, will continue her journey to the NCAA National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa . Athletes made it to the competition by placing in the eastern region’s top 48 in their events.

Grace won her heat of the 800m with a time of 2:03.41, setting a school record outdoors. Annelies Gamble ’13 also competed in the 800m, placing 37th in 2:10.55. Nihal Kayali ’13 made it past prelims to finish the 1500m in 4:25.87. Although it did not qualify her for nationals, her time was faster than that of several runners who advanced. Elizabeth Marvin ’13 finished 26th in the 5K, running it in 16:55.95.

On the men’s side, Johnny Van Deventer ’11 made it to the finals of the 1500m. Van Deventer, who was injured through most of his Yale track and field career and who holds the No. 2 all-time Yale outdoor record in the 1500m, placed 19th, with a time of 3:52.92. Mike Levine ’13 took 25th in the discus with a throw of 51.14m, but he did not make it to finals. Matt Bogdan ’11 and Nathan Richards ’12 raced in the 3000m steeplechase and finished in 35th place (9:09.79) and 44th place (9:23.92), respectively.

Grace will next compete at NCAA Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa, starting June 8.