MEET PREVIEW
The Fighting Illini women's track and field team heads to Austin, Texas for the 2015 NCAA Division I Track and Field West Preliminary Round from May 28-30. The three days of competition take place at Mike A. Myers Stadium and feature some of the nation's premier student-athletes.

Gates at Myers Stadium open at 10:30 a.m. each day of competition.

Qualifying individuals advance to the 2015 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 10-13.

MEET FORMAT
Athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective event earn berths into the NCAA West Preliminary Round. The best 24 relay times also advanced to NCAA prelims. Athletes with the top 12 times/marks and the best 12 relay teams at both the East and West prelims will qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 10-13. There is no decathlon or heptathlon competition at the NCAA preliminary rounds. The top 24 decathlon and heptathlon marks in the nation earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Fans can follow the Illini on Twitter (@IlliniWTrackXC) for the latest updates on the team. Heat sheets and results for the 2015 NCAA West Preliminary Round can be found on the Meet Headquarters page on TexasSports.com. Fans will also find live results and video streaming links on the Meet Headquarters page. All other information regarding the meet can be found on that page.

A LOOK AT THIS WEEKEND'S COMPETITION
Competition at the NCAA West Preliminary Round is made up of teams from Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Teams ranked in the top 25 of the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national rankings include No. 1 USC, No. 2 Arkansas, No. 4 Oregon, No. 7 Texas, No. 9 Texas A&M, No. 10 Kansas State, No. 11 Texas Tech, No. 12 Baylor, No. 14 Stanford, No. 24 Oklahoma State and No. 25 Kansas.

ILLINOIS AT THE 2014 NCAA WEST PRELIMINARY ROUND
The Fighting Illini women's track and field team concluded the 2014 NCAA West Preliminary Round of Championships with no just one Illini qualifying for the NCAA Championships in Oregon. Jesica Ejesieme qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 400m hurdles and will be the sole athlete representing the Illini in Eugene. Also competing at last year's prelims were Mobolaji Adeokun, Kandie Bloch-Jones, Chloe Schmidt, Alyssa Schneider, Mariah Smith, Ahlivia Spencer, Asia Thomas and Jazjuan Wallace-Sipp.

ILLINI NCAA WEST PRELIMINARY ROUND QUALIFIERS

Kandie Bloch-Jones (So., Argenta-Oreana, Ill.)
Two-time NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier
Seeded No. 7 in the high jump (1.84m - 6' 0.50")
Tied for second on Illinois' all-time high jump list

Nicole Choquette (So., Urbana, Ill.)
First trip to NCAA West Preliminary Round
Seeded No. 18 in the 800m (2:06.70)
Ranked No. 7 on Illinois' all-time 800m list

Breeana Coleman (Sr., Olathe, Kan.)
Three-time NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier
Seeded 19th in the 100m hurdles (13.38)
Ranked No. 9 on Illinois' all-time 100m hurdles list (13.22)

Jennifer DeBellis (Jr., Vancouver, Wash.)
Two-time NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier
Seeded No. 35 in the pole vault (4.06m - 13' 3.50")
Ranked No. 2 on Illinois' all-time pole vault list

Amanda Duvendack (Sr., Metamora, Ill.)
Three-time NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier
Seeded No. 16 in the 800m (2:06.16)
Ranked No. 3 on Illinois' all-time 800m list (2:05.07)

Britten Petrey (Jr., Schaumburg, Ill.)
First trip to NCAA West Preliminary Round
Seeded 38th in the 3,000m steeplechase (10:30.84)

Stephanie Richartz (Sr., Island Lake, Ill.)
2015 Big Ten Pole Vault Champion
Three-time NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier
Seeded No. 5 in the pole vault 4.37m (14' 4")
Illinois school record holder in the pole vault

Alyssa Schneider (Sr., Bartlett, Ill.)
Three-time NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier
Competing in the 1,500m and 5,000m
Seeded No. 21 in the 1,500m (4:20.81) and No. 23 in the 5,000m (16:13.31)
Ranked No. 5 on Illinois' all-time 1,500m list
Ranked No. 2 on Illinois' all-time 5,000m list

UP NEXT
Illinois' qualifiers out of the region will compete in the NCAA Division I Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships held June 10-13 in Eugene, Oregon.