Members of the UCSB track and field team continue to blow away the competition and exceed all expectations. Santa Barbara will be sending six Gauchos to the NCAA National Championships after competing well in last weekend’s West Regionals. The men finished 14th and the women placed 17th. UCLA swept the meet, winning both the men’s and women’s competitions.

Sophomore Tetlo Emmen and junior Ben Armel, who was seeded second going into the race, finished first and second in the 800 meter, respectively, both qualifying for nationals. UCSB’s capture of the top two spots was the highlight of the meet.

“They went one and two against a quarter of the country. Some of the country’s best competed and they took care of them,” UCSB Head Coach Pete Dolan said.

Emmen and Armel will face the toughest competition of their careers at nationals but have a good shot at qualifying for the final races.

Sophomore Eugene Bradley finished 15th and set a new personal best in the shot put. Senior Nohel Corral failed to qualify for the finals in the 400 after running a solid race, only seconds off his best time.

Senior Chris White qualified for nationals thanks to his season-best time in the 10K. He is ranked 16th of 26 runners and will face challenging conditions in Austin, Texas, with its hot weather and humidity.

Junior Desir