LEXINGTON, KY – With seven athletes competing during the first day of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Monmouth University finished with three athletes inside the top-37 in the East. Junior Stephanie Roones placed 29^th in the women's javelin throw, sophomore Mark Orlando took 32^nd in the men's javelin throw, and senior Tim Wilson placed 37^th in the men's hammer throw. The Hawks did not have any athletes advance to the quarterfinals, but junior Corey Murphy will compete in the men's shot put on Friday and men's discus on Saturday.

In the women's 400-meter hurdles, senior Andrea Olsen placed 43^rd with a time of 1:01.93. She finishes her Monmouth career as a two-time NCAA qualifier and the second-ranked 400-hurdler in school history with a best of 58.75. Only All-American Rachel Watkins is in front of her.

"Andrea didn't have her best day today, but she had a great career for us and was a big part of our sprint and hurdle group's success the last few years," head coach Joe Compagni said.

Orlando took 32^nd overall in the men's javelin throw with a toss of 191'2" (58.27 meters). Orlando was the 2017 MAAC Champion in the javelin throw, earning All-East honors.

"Mark came in ranked 47^th in a field of 48, and dealt with the pouring rain and wind better than most to move way up," added Compagni. "He's put in a huge amount of work with Coach Abe Flores and earned his way to a tremendous sophomore year."

Both Wilson and Troy Andretta competed in the men's hammer throw, with Wilson placing 37^th after a throw of 193'2" (58.88 meters), and Andretta taking 41^st after a toss of 189'9" (57.85 meters). The seniors are two of five athletes in Monmouth history to throw over 200', alongside All-Americans like Augie Zilincar and Joe Madden.

"Tim had a great year and has another chance to put himself as the best ever next year in an event where we have been very good," said Compagni. "Troy has been a strong leader for us with his work ethic and he will be missed."

In the women's 800-meter run, senior Tionna Garner placed 45^th after crossing in 2:15.08. Garner dominated the run at the MAAC Championships, winning with a time of 2:09.41. She ends her career with two straight NCAA appearances.

Senior Faith Blamon also took 45^th after competing in the women's javelin throw with a distance of 125'10" (38.35 meters). Blamon won the event at the MAAC Championships at 162'7" (49.56 meters).

"Faith and Tionna were courageous captains for us," added Compagni. "I know they didn't want today to be their last day in a Monmouth uniform, but they did so much for our program in their careers."

Roones also competed in the women's javelin throw, taking Monmouth's highest rank of the day at 29^th. In her second straight NCAA appearance, she launched a throw of 141'7" (43.17 meters). Roones was the MAAC Championships runner-up to Blamon. At last year's NCAA First Round, Roones finished 26th with a throw of 43.53 meters.

"Stephanie will get another shot at advancing to the NCAA Finals, and there is no doubt she'll be hungry for more next year," said Compagni.

The Hawks will have one more athlete at the NCAA East Preliminary in junior Corey Murphy. Murphy will compete in the men's shot put at 4:30 PM on Friday and the men's discus throw at 2:00 PM on Saturday.