For the first time in his career, senior
Gabe Piepergerdes of the Holy Cross men's track and field team has qualified for the East Preliminary Round of the NCAA Championship in the 400 meter hurdles. Piepergerdes will open up competition on Wednesday, May 26 at 8:20 p.m. at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.
FOLLOW ALONG:
- Live results for all events will be available here.
- Live video for all events will be available here.
- Piepergerdes will compete in heat three of the prelims, with the top three from each heat plus the next six top times advancing to the quaterfinals on Friday, May 28.
HOW HE GOT HERE:
- Piepergerdes' qualifying time of 51.89 in the 400 meter hurdles came at the Patriot League Outdoor Championship on May 1. Piepergerdes finished second at the meet, and broke his own school record with his first-ever sub-52 second mark.
- Additionally, Piepergerdes won the 400 meter hurdles event at the New England Outdoor Championship, in a time of 52.14. He became the first Crusader Outdoor New England Champion since 2004, with the victory.
- The senior also brought home 400 meter hurdle victories this season at a trio-meet with UMass and Merrimack (52.94), in a dual meet with Stonehill (52.24) and vs. Rhode Island at home (52.28).
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
- Piepergerdes is the first men's track and field athlete to qualify for the NCAA East Preliminary Round since Nathaniel Couture in 2007.
- This selection marks Piepergerdes' first time qualifying for the meet.
