Butler track and field standouts Olivia Pratt and Erik Peterson punched their respective tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with strong performances at the NCAA East Regional in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday night.
Pratt finished eighth in the 10,000 meters, easily taking one of the 12 spots that automatically advance to Eugene, Ore., and the NCAA championships June 8-11. The East Regional produces 12 qualifiers who will be joined by 12 qualifiers from the West Regional (taking place this weekend in Lawrence, Kan.).
Pratt finished with a time of 34:26.30. The Butler veteran ran a smart race to qualify as the final time was well off her season-best run of 33:08.