Fraley leads list of locals at NCAA Prelims

AUSTIN, Texas — Gonzaga senior Troy Fraley, a 2013 Glacier High graduate, enters the postseason with the top collegiate 3,000-meter steeplechase time in the country, and is one of eight athletes from northwest Montana to compete at the 2017 NCAA West Preliminaries on May 25-27. The complete list of declared athletes was announced Thursday.

Athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective events earn berths into the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds. The best 24 relay times also advance to NCAA prelims. Athletes with the top 12 times or marks and the best 12 relay teams at both the East and West Preliminary Rounds sites will qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., on June 7-10.

Fraley holds the top seed in the steeplechase after posting a time of 8:39.30 two weeks ago at the Payton Jordan Invitational in California.

Colorado junior Zach Perrin (Flathead), the Pac-12 champion in the 5,000 meters, is the 12th seed in the event at the meet. His younger brother Jake (Flathead), a true freshman at Gonzaga, is also in the 5k race, slipping in as the 47th runner of 48.

Air Force senior Taylor Hulslander (Glacier), who broke the academy javelin record two weeks ago, is the ninth seed in the event after his throw of 72.07 meters.

Colorado freshman Makena Morley (Bigfork), who finished second in the 10,000 meters at the Pac-12 championships last week, is seeded fifth in the event and will also represent the Buffs in the women’s 5,000 meters. Former Vals teammate Emily Cheroske (Bigfork), now a junior at Montana, is entered in the 800 prelims.

Montana senior Daniel Jones (Columbia Falls) is entered in the javelin after winning the Big Sky championship in the event last week and Griz junior Matt Quist (Flathead) is in the men’s high jump after posting a height of 2.11 meters.