Hawai'i's Amber Kaufman qualified in the high jump for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships yesterday after tying for first place at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.

Kaufman, a senior from San Jose, Calif., and five others shared first based on number of misses after each cleared 5 feet, 11.25 inches.

The top 12 finishers at the prelims automatically advance to next month's national championships in Eugene, Ore.

Kaufman was the only qualifier among nine Rainbow Wahine who participated in the NCAA West Prelims.

Also yesterday, sophomore Sarah Saddleton tied for 14th in the high jump at 5-8.5 and freshman Samantha Balentine tied for 28th at 5-6.5. Sophomore Emma MacCorquodale placed 41st in the hammer throw with a heave of 171-7.

On Friday, sophomore TeRina Keenan, ranked 13th nationally in the discus, missed her opportunity to qualify for nationals after finishing 19th with a throw of 157-8. Sophomore Madara Apine placed 33rd in the triple jump with leap of 39-10.

On Thursday, sophomore Lauren Cutler placed 27th with a season-best throw of 143-7 in the javelin, while junior Karen Guravska fouled on each of her three attempts. Senior Thalia Amanakis placed 46th in the 400-meter hurdles in 1 minute, 4.25 seconds.