POUGHEEPSIE, NY (May 23, 2011) – For the first time in Vassar College Track history, the Brewers qualified three runners for the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships. Based on performances at Friday's ECAC Outdoor Championships, three 800 meter specialists, sophomores Kelly Holmes and Sam Wagner and senior Jonathan Erickson were selected to compete at the meet being held at Ohio Wesleyan on May 24-26.

Due to her academic JYA commitment in Copenhagen, Holmes will not be participating in the women's meet, but Erickson and Wagner depart on Wednesday for the opening of the competition and pre-meet banquet that evening.

“I am extremely proud of these guys for being the first athletes to compete in the national championships in program history,” said head coach James McCowan. “The program has grown a lot over the past four years and it's very exciting to see Jon Erickson finally reach his goal of qualifying for the national championships after a rocky ride in his four years. Sam is new to the 800 and there are no limits to what he can do. It's exciting to see what they can accomplish together in nationals.”

At ECACs, Wagner won the meet in 1:51.29, while Erickson came in third, winning the second heat by a large margin in 1:51.76. Holmes won the second heat of the women's 800 meters in a tremendous fashion, smashing her best time with a 2:13.41 time and finishing third overall.

Three heats of 800 meter trials will be held on Friday evening at 8:00 pm. The top two finishers in those heats automatically qualify for Saturday's final. In addition, the top two fastest times in each heat also qualify, presenting a final field of eight runners out of 19 hopefuls. The top eight finishers earn All-America status.