KINGSVILLE, Texas (May 23, 2019) – Senior CeCe Telfer (Lebanon, N.H.) of the Franklin Pierce University women's track & field team has qualified for the national final of the 400-meter hurdles, and assured herself of All-America honors in the process. Telfer posted the fastest time out of three preliminary heats on Thursday night, at the first day of the NCAA Championships, hosted by Texas A&M-Kingsville at Javelina Stadium.

Scheduled in the first of three heats in the 400-meter hurdles and running out of lane 7, Telfer took the lead at the end of the opening turn and held it through the remainder of the race. She would lead what wound up as the fastest of the three heats and posted a time of 58.18 seconds, which was the day's top qualifying time.

The top two finishers in each heat advanced directly to the final, where they will be joined by the next two fastest times overall. Telfer's closest competition on Thursday came out of the third heat, where St. Augustine's junior Shannon Kalawan put together a time of 59.18 seconds. The third heat was responsible for two of the day's top three times, and also boasted both at-large qualifiers.

The final in the 400-meter hurdles is scheduled for Saturday at 8:20 p.m.

Franklin Pierce will have all three of its qualifiers for the national meet in action on Friday at the NCAA Championships. For the women, freshman Paola Brena (Queretaro, Mexico) will compete in the high jump, beginning at 6:05 p.m. (all times EDT), while Telfer returns to the track for the preliminary heats of the 100-meter hurdles, which are set for 7:40 p.m. For the men, sophomore Hugo Arlabosse (Marseille, France) will be taking part in the preliminary heats of the 800 meters at 7:20 p.m. 

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce track and field apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).