Bucknell University Athletics
Three Bison Women Qualify for the NCAAs
5/21/2026 6:28:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
U.S. national champion Evelyn Bliss and Brylee Tereska qualified in the javelin throw, while sprinter Alexandra Lea earned selection in the 400-meter dash.
All three athletes have now qualified for the NCAA East First Round in every season of collegiate competition. Lea is a two-time qualifier, Bliss qualified for the third time, and Tereska became just the second four-time qualifier in program history.
Competition runs May 27–30 and will stream on ESPN+. The top 12 finishers in each event advance to the NCAA Championships.
Bliss added another milestone to her decorated career by becoming the sixth Bucknell woman to qualify for at least three NCAA East First Rounds. She joins 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), javelin thrower Laura Rycek (2008, 2010, and 2011), and Tereska (2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026) in accomplishing the feat. Bliss also became just the fourth Bison to earn three consecutive NCAA East First Round appearances.
The reigning U.S. champion has enjoyed a banner season, establishing five facility and meet records at the Colonial Relays (William & Mary), Bison Outdoor Classic (Bucknell), Penn Relays (University of Pennsylvania), Kehoe Twilight (Maryland), and Patriot League Outdoor Championships (Navy).
She set a new personal record at the Bison Outdoor Classic, surpassing both 60 meters and 200 feet for the first time with a throw of 61.34m (201-3). The mark established the top distance in the NCAA and the top mark in the world at the time. Bliss remains No. 1 in the NCAA and will enter the NCAA East First Round as the top seed.
Bliss finished fifth in her first NCAA East First Round appearance in 2024 before winning the regional meet last season. She enters this year's competition as one of the favorites to repeat.
"My biggest goal going in is just one throw and done to qualify for NCAAs," Bliss said.
Lea became the first Bison sprinter to qualify for two NCAA East First Rounds. The sophomore ran a personal-best 52.90 at the Kehoe Twilight to break her own school record and set the facility record in the event while repeating as Patriot League Outdoor champion.
Lea enters the field seeded 48th, earning the final qualifying spot in the event. She finished 45th at last year's NCAA East First Round, but another year of experience could prove beneficial for the Orange & Blue standout.
"I'm very proud of Lea for qualifying for nationals for the second straight year," said sprints coach Richard Alexander. "She has had a tremendous season and has put in the work to make it this far. Track & field continues to improve, and Lea is improving along with it. The goal now is to make it to the race on Saturday as well."
Tereska joined Buczko as the only Bison athletes to earn four NCAA East First Round qualifications. The senior enters the meet after peaking at the right time, throwing a personal-best 50m (164-0) at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships to earn silver for the second consecutive season.
Tereska has shown consistent improvement at the regional meet throughout her career, placing 38th in 2023, 26th in 2024, and 17th in 2025. Her goal in 2026 is to join Bliss in Eugene, Oregon, for the NCAA Championships. Bucknell has only once sent two athletes to the national meet in the same season, when Buczko and Maria Garcia accomplished the feat in 2004.
Tereska enters the competition seeded 29th.
Bucknell javelin throwers have now produced 22 NCAA East First Round qualifiers. Six of Bucknell's seven women's track & field All-Americans competed in the event, as did six of the program's eight national qualifiers. Beverly Rogers laid the foundation for Javenell University by finishing 13th at the 2007 NCAA East First Round.
The NCAA National Championships will be held from June 10-13 in Eugene, Oregon.Â
