FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Anna Szepieniec and Natalie Block represented Milwaukee at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds hosted by Arkansas at John McDonnell Field Thursday.
 
"Natalie ran her first 400-meter hurdle race since the beginning of April," said head coach Andrew Basler. "The goal for her this weekend was getting big Q's and advancing. She took care of business today, while knocking off some cobwebs. She is in a great spot heading into Saturday's quarterfinals."
 
Block competed in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing third in her heat and 13th overall to advance to the quarterfinals. She crossed the line in 57.12, marking her fourth career appearance at the NCAA West Prelims. Block will need to finish in the top-12 of the quarterfinal round Saturday to move on to Nationals in Eugene, Ore.
 
"Anna definitely handled her first NCAA-level meet as composed and confidently as anybody I've ever coached at that level," added Basler. "Her first two jumps were a little back from the board so we got caught reaching and losing horizontal speed. Even with that, she jumped her 2nd best jump of her outdoor career. It just stings for her because the mark that qualified her for this meet would have punched her ticket to Eugene."
 
In the long jump, Szepieniec placed 20th with a mark of 6.24 meters, recorded on her second attempt of the evening. Competing in her first career NCAA West Prelims, Szepieniec posted the second-best jump of her season.
 
UP NEXT
 
Block will be back in action Saturday, May 30, in the 400-meter hurdle quarterfinals at John McDonnell Field. The event is scheduled to begin at 7:25 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.