Galloway, NJ – Stockton University seniors
Jared Lewis (Westville/Deptford) and
Kaitlyn Dermen (Millville/Millville) earned
All-Atlantic Region accolades from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Lewis (Westville/Deptford) qualified for USTFCCCA all-region in the triple jump and long jump for the third straight year. Dermen (Millville/Millville) snagged her second straight all-region nod in the pole vault.
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To qualify, competitors needed to post a mark that ranked in the top five in the region in an individual event or top three in a relay. Lewis and Dermen not only accomplished that feat, but also qualified to compete in the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships, which will be held in Birmingham, Alabama on March 9-10.
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Lewis topped the Atlantic Region and ranked second in the nation in the triple jump at 15.09 meters. He also stood fifth in the region and tied for 12th nationally in the long jump at 7.19 meters. He won both events at the same meet five times this season, including at the NJAC Championships, for which he was voted NJAC Outstanding Field Athlete for the second consecutive year.
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Lewis earned spots in the NCAA field in both events but has chosen to focus on the triple jump, in which he hopes to defend the national title that he won last year. The senior is making his fourth straight appearance at the NCAA indoor meet. Lewis' best jump of 15.09 meters this season stands just one centimeter off the NCAA Division III lead.
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Dermen registered the second-best pole vault in the Atlantic Region this season by clearing 3.70 meters. The vault, the best of her indoor career, came at the NJAC Championships and gave her a second straight conference title in the event. The senior won the pole vault at six of eight meets this year.
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Dermen ranks 17th in the nation in the pole vault and will compete in the event at the NCAA Championships on Friday. She is making her first trip to the NCAA indoor meet after previously finishing ninth, one spot away from All-American status, at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships last spring.
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