Three Bison Earn Qualification to NCAA East First Round

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell women's track & field sustained its postseason presence by placing three athletes in next week's NCAA East First Round competition in Jacksonville, Florida. Javelineers Evelyn Bliss and Brylee Tereska return for the second and third time respectively while sprinter Alexandra Lea makes her First Round debut. The competition runs from May 28-31 and will be streamed on ESPN+.

Bliss enters her second consecutive First Round seeking a return to the National Championships. The sophomore star finished fifth at the 2024 NCAA East First Round competition. She used the momentum to finish 13th at the National Championships, earning Second Team All-American honors. Bliss enters this year as the fourth seed in the Eastern standings and a winner of five straight javelin events, including repeating as the Patriot League champion.

Tereska returns to the NCAA East First Round scene for the third consecutive year, joining select company as the fifth Bison to earn three bids and only the third Orange & Blue athlete to achieve three straight slots. Distance runner Christine Bendzinski (2016, 2017, and 2018), pole vaulter Melanie Buczko (2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007), javelin thrower Maura Fiamoncini (2018, 2019, and 2021), and javelin thrower Laura Rycek (2008, 2010, and 2011) previously accomplished the feat. Tereska finished 38th at the 2023 edition and improved to 26th during last year's competition. The junior javelineer slots 36th in the latest Eastern standings.

"This is something we expected as Evelyn is a returning All-American, and Brylee is now a three-time NCAA qualifier, but nothing is given," said throws Ryan Protzman. "I'm proud of these ladies for taking this first step to a big goal. Brylee has been consistent and I believe she is hitting her stride at a perfect time. Evelyn has been finding comfort in bringing energy into the throw and we're starting to see it transfer to the javelin more consistently. They have grown as teammates and I know both are focused on extending their season, and earning a trip to Oregon."

Bucknell has a rich history in the javelin throw with 20 qualifiers in the event. Five of Bucknell's women's track & field six All-Americans were javelineers, as were five of the seven national qualifiers. Beverly Rogers trailblazed the tradition by finishing 13th at the 2007 NCAA East Preliminaries. The 2025 javelin throw group recorded a national ranking as high as seventh this year reinforcing the moniker of Javenell University.

Three-time All-American Fiamoncini spoke on Bucknell's lineage, "It's great to see the Bucknell women's javelin throwers continuing their success in the post season and I'm wishing them all the best in the first round."

Lea blitzed through the competition during her rookie season. She shined at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships, winning gold in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes while setting the meet record in the 400-meter and the school records in both events. Her 53.07 time in the 400-meter dash slotted her 44th among declared participants. Lea became the first Bison sprinter since Catherine Trentacoste in 2006 and only the second one ever to reach a NCAA East First Round/Preliminaries competition. Trentacoste competed in an era where conference champions received automatic bids and placed 26th in the 400-meter dash that season. Lea is the first Bison sprinter to notch a selection under the current format of where times determine participation.

"I am so happy for Alex making the NCAA First Round," said sprints coach Richard Alexander. "She has worked so hard this freshman year and that work has paid off. Her growth and development has been something to marvel and I am excited to see her on the big stage."

The National Championships will be held from June 11-14 in Eugene, Oregon.

Three Bison Earn Qualification to NCAA East First Round

Players Mentioned

Evelyn Bliss

Alexandra Lea

Brylee Tereska

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