LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman high jumpers Jacob Milton and Garth Warner saw impressive rookie campaigns for the Norfolk State men's track and field team come to an end in the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Saturday night at the University of Kentucky.

Milton was the high finisher of the two, just missing out on a trip to the outdoor nationals next month. Milton tied for 14th out of 48 high jumpers at Kentucky, clearing 6 feet, 10.75 inches. Only the top 12 finishers advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Five athletes who also cleared 6-10.75 did advance, but Milton just came up short based on more misses.

Warner cleared a top height of 6-8.75, good for a 29th-place tie, as he joined Milton in concluding his first season in the Green & Gold on Saturday night.

Milton and Warner burst onto the scene with solid rookie seasons. Milton won the indoor and outdoor MEAC high jump titles this year. Warner, meanwhile, placed in the top five at both conference meets and cleared 6-10.75 both indoors and outdoors.

Five of the six Spartan men and women who participated at Kentucky this weekend were freshmen or sophomores. All of those five were making their first trips to an NCAA regional, laying a strong foundation for the Spartans in the 2017-18 season.