BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (May 26, 2022) - Rhema Otabor and Filippa Miller both punched their ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships Thursday, on a memorable day for the FIU Panthers at the NCAA East Prelims hosted by Indiana University. 

Otabor, a sophomore, advances in the javelin for the second consecutive season, while Miller will make her debut appearance at nationals in the pole vault. 

"I'm incredibly proud of these two student-athletes," said head coach Ryan Heberling, who has guided FIU to an appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in every season since he took over the program in 2015. "They have both put in a tremendous amount of work, and are so deserving to qualify." 

Otabor placed fourth with a throw of 52.42m, and will compete in the second flight in Eugene. The sophomore had already put together an impressive campaign, resetting her school record throw at the UF Tom Jones Memorial Invite with a mark of 56.25m. Otabor will look to best her finish from her freshman season in Eugene, where she placed 21st among the nation's best. 

For Miller, her best jump of the season came at the most important time. Entering the competition with a personal best of 4.20m, Miller eclipsed 4.31m en route to a ninth place mark. 4.31m was in fact tied with first place - however Miller finished in ninth based on jumps taken to achieve that mark. Miller cleared 4.21m on her third and final try, and 4.31m on her second attempt. 

On Wednesday, Queshun Watson-Riggins concluded his junior season in the long jump, placing 26th with a mark of 7.30m. Watson-Riggins holds the school record in the event, which he re-set at the UVA Challenge when he leaped 7.93m. 

"Queshun achieved a great deal this year, and his best is still ahead of him," said Heberling. "If he didn't slightly scratch on the first jump, that may have even gotten him a spot. We're proud of him and excited for what's ahead in his future." 

The NCAA Outdoor Championships will take place June 8-11, at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. 

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