LOUSIVILLE, Ky. ? Three Austin Peay track athletes, junior pole vaulters Carrie Burggraf and Molly Bartkiewicz, along with sophomore 400-meter specialist Chiamaka Obi will compete in the NCAA Outdoor Mideast Regional this weekend at Cardinal Park.

Burggraf and Bartkiewicz both earned their trips by reaching the NCAA qualifying height 3.85 meters (12-07.50) in early season meets. Obi earned her way by winning the Ohio Valley Conference championship in the 400. This was the second straight year Burggraf qualified for the regional.

“We are in one of the toughest regions in the country for pole vaulting,” said head coach Doug Molnar. “Carrie and Molly have had solid practices the last two weeks and are up to the challenge. Both have competed in the regionals before, so they know what to expect.”

Burggraf is ranked 18th in the regional field with her OVC and school record jump of 3.96 meters (13-00.00) at the Cedarville Invitational, May 8. Bartkiewicz is ranked 29th with that early-season mark. Obi is ranked 19th among the regional's 400-meter field.

“This will be Obi's first trip to regionals,” said Molnar. “She has had experience in plenty of big meets this season and has been running strong the last couple of weeks.”

The pole vault competition will be held noon (CDT), Friday, while 400-meter preliminaries will take place 3 p.m., with the finals at 4:15 p.m. Saturday.
“We are excited about our three competitors,” said Molnar. “I'd like to see all three set new personal bests. If we can do that, we can have a very successful day.”

- AP -