Gajewski, Murdock to Represent UNH at NCAA Prelims

Thursday, May 23

Jacksonville, FL

5:30 PM

University of New Hampshire

NCAA First Round

Dani Gajewski (left) and Shannon Murdock (right)

5/21/2019 1:57:00 PM | Women's Track & Field

NCAA East Preliminary Live Results Live Video (Flotrack)

Gajewski and Murdock are set to compete in the preliminary round Thursday evening.

DURHAM, N.H. – Fifth-year senior Danielle Gajewski (Danville, N.H.) and senior Shannon Murdock (Exeter, N.H.) will represent the University of New Hampshire at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track East Preliminary meet in Jacksonville, Florida. The meet, which runs from Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25 is hosted by the University of North Florida.

The meet will mark the second time both Gajewski and Murdock have qualified for the NCAA preliminary meet, their last trip dating back to the 2017 season. Overall, this will be Gajewski's third preliminary qualification of her career, and Murdock's second.

Gajewski just captured the America East outdoor 800 meter title earlier in May, notching her seventh individual America East championship of her career. Her qualifying mark of 2:07.61 at the ECAC/IC4A outdoor championships was just 0.4 seconds off of her career best mark in the event. "Her excellence speaks for itself," says head coach Robert Hoppler. "You look at her career: a seven time America East champion, a New England champion, an ECAC Champion, and now a three-time NCAA prelim qualifier."

Murdock's top time in the 1500 meter run of 4:22.84 at this year's Larry Ellis invitational, missed her career best in the event by just over three seconds. Murdock won her preliminary America East 1500m race at this years outdoor championships, and scored with a fourth place finish. "Shannon is a multi-time conference champion in the relays, as well as an all-region runner in cross country," lists Hoppler. "She was top-50 this year in the indoor mile. Shannon's versatility over all three seasons is a demonstration of her excellence as an athlete."

Both Gajewski and Murdock will compete in the preliminary round on Thursday evening, with a chance to compete again in the quarterfinal round either Friday or Saturday.

MEET INFO/SCHEDULE:
Date: Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25
Location: Hodges Stadium - Jacksonville, Florida
Live Video: Flotrack

Start Times:
Shannon Murdock
1500m first round: Thursday, 5:30 P.M. (24 advance: top 5 each heat + next 4 best times)
1500m quarterfinal: Saturday, 6:30 P.M. (12 advance: top 5 each heat + next 2 best times)

Danielle Gajewski
800m first round: Thursday, 8:10 P.M. (24 advance: top 3 each heat + next 6 best times)
800m quarterfinal: Friday, 6:30 P.M. (top 12 advance: top 3 each heat + next 3 best times)

UP NEXT:
Qualifying athletes from the quarterfinal rounds will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championship meet in Austin, Texas taking place from June 5 to June 8.

MORE FROM THE COACHES:
"We're very proud of both [Murdock and Gajewski] for qualifying for these races; and we're looking forward to racing in Jacksonville."
Head Coach Robert Hoppler

"Having five in the program get in [to the preliminary meet] is a tribute to these kids and their desire to work; as always, it's good for the program to have people out there."
Men's Head Coach / Track and Field Coordinator Jim Boulanger

-- unh --