May 30, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Southern University track and field team has seven entrants in the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, which begin today at Arkansas' John McDonnell Field.

The Jaguars have five participants and the Lady Jaguars have two contestants in the meet, which serves as a qualifier for the NCAA Championships to be held June 11-14 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The top five finishers in each individual event and top three teams in the relays from four regionals being held across the country today and Saturday advance to nationals.

Sophomore high jumper Jason House is the Jaguars' top entrant. House, the Southwestern Athletic Conference indoor and outdoor champion this season, will be trying to secure his second trip to the outdoor championships after making it as a true freshman last spring.

House claimed the SWAC outdoor title earlier this month with a leap of 7 feet, 1 inch, which has him tied for second in the Mideast Region.

Other Jaguars schedule to compete on the men's side are Leon Citizen (400), Rodney Harris (400 hurdles), Brandon Kendall (high jump) and Jovanni Jenkins (pole vault). Citizen and Kendall are ranked 13th, while Harris and Jenkins are each 22nd.

Regional qualifiers from the women's team are Earldreka White, who ranks 22nd in the triple jump, and India Anderson, who is 30th in the long jump.