NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State track and field programs qualified five student-athletes, four from the men's team and one from the women's, for next week's NCAA East Preliminary Round meet at the University of Indiana.

From the men's team, sprinter Kai Cole, jumpers Joshua Peterson and Isaac Haywood and hurdler Jordan Williams will compete at the regional. From the women's team, sprinter Malika Pride also punched her ticket to the meet.

Cole, a junior, qualified in the 100 meters thanks to his PR of 10.23 seconds at last week's MEAC Outdoor Championships, where he finished second. This will be his first time competing at the regional at the Division I level.

Peterson, a freshman, won the long jump at the conference meet with a PR of 25 feet, 1.25 inches to secure his spot. Haywood, a sophomore triple jumper, also will be competing at the regional for the first time. He notched a PR of 50-6.25 at the Colonial Relays last month.

Williams will be competing in the regionals for the third time in his career. The senior transfer from Bethune-Cookman qualified twice for the Wildcats in multiple sprints and relays, but will represent NSU next week in Indiana in the 400-meter hurdles. He posted a personal record of 51.87 seconds to win the event at last week's conference meet.

Pride, another senior, will be competing in the 400 meters at the regional level for the third time after also qualifying in 2019 and 2021. She clocked a season-best time of 53.67 seconds in winning the bronze medal at the MEAC championship last week.

The men will compete next Wednesday and Friday, and the women next Thursday and Saturday. Athletes must finish in the top 12 at the East Preliminary Round to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Nationals next month in Oregon.