COLLEGE STATION, Tex. – Natalie Block qualified for the NCAA Track & Field National Championships in the 400m hurdles at the NCAA West Regional Preliminary Rounds Saturday.
 
Block broke her own school record with a blazing time of 56.95 to take 11th in the quarterfinal round and continue her season. She had previously set the program-best mark last year at 57.04.
 
"Our plan for the 400m hurdles was just to send it and not be too technical and try and push for that qualifying time," said head coach Andrew Basler. "She put down a lifetime best and put herself in position to move on, and we look to get a little redemption when we go to Eugene in a couple weeks."
 
Block will move on to the National Championships held June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. This is the second consecutive season she has qualified for the national meet in the event, but did not compete due to injury.
 
Block also finished out her season in the 100m hurdles, crossing the finish line in 13.21.
 
"I thought her rhythm looked really good in the 100m hurdles race," Basler added. "I think we missed out on having the indoor season that could have helped us out at this point, but I know there's a lot more there."
 
Olivia VanZeeland also closed the book on her junior season in the high jump, she ends the year as the school record holder in the event at 1.80m as well as the Horizon League Champion.
 
"I thought there might've been some nerves for Olivia in her first NCAA meet," Basler finished saying. "She's a junior so she'll be able to take some valuable lessons from this experience for when she makes her way back."