Elon Track and Field Qualifies Duo for NCAA Regionals

ELON, N.C. – Junior Melissa Anastasakis and freshman Alex Tudor of the Elon University women’s track and field team will represent the Phoenix at the 2019 NCAA East Preliminary Round in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 23-25, after qualifying for the regional meet on Thursday, May 16.

2019 NCAA East Prelims Declared List

Both Anastasakis and Tudor will be making their first-ever appearance at the NCAA East Preliminary. This is the seventh straight year that the program will be represented at the at the regional round.

“We’re fortunate to have two young ladies to represent our program and Elon University in Jacksonville,” said Elon director of track and field and cross country Mark Elliston. “I believe both Alex and Melissa have a great shot at competing well and doing some damage as they look to advance to the national meet.”

Anastasakis will continue her impressive outdoor campaign at the NCAA prelims after qualifying in the 1,500-meters. The Hillsdale, Ontario, native enters the meet ranked 22nd in the event after clocking a personal-record time of 4:20.26 at the 2019 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Outdoor Championships last weekend. She also successfully defended her title in the 1,500-meters at the Colonial Athletic Association Outdoor Championships and received All-CAA honors as the runner-up in the 5,000-meters.

Tudor also earned a CAA title this season as the Clifton Park, N.Y., native won the league championship in the long jump, the event she will compete in at the NCAA regionals. Tudor had a season-best leap of 20′ 0.5″ (6.11m) to earn individual medalist honors. She also was All-CAA in the triple jump and as a member of the Phoenix’s 4×100-meter relay.

“This is what we work for and that is to get our athletes to compete at the next level,” said Elliston. “Not only to do a great job at our conference championship, but to get into the top-48 (of the region) for a chance to advance to nationals.”

The top 12 qualifiers out of the NCAA East Regional will compete in the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships held on June 5-8 in Austin, Texas.