Bloomington, Ind. - University at Albany's Alie Beauvais and Peter Rowell (Scotia-Glenville) each advanced in 400-meter intermediate hurdles qualifying on Thursday, May 26 at the NCAA East Preliminary Round. The three-day regional meet is being held at Indiana University's Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex.
     Beauvais, who had not competed in nearly three weeks after suffering a leg injury on the final day at the America East Conference championships, was second in the first of six heats with a time of 51.80 seconds. Mississippi State's Lee Moore won the first-round preliminary heat in 51.32. Rowell, the America East champion in this event, took third in the fourth heat and was clocked in a season-best 52.23. Delaware State's Leslie Murray (50.23) posted the top mark in qualifying, as 24 competitors advanced to the quarterfinals.
     "I wasn't too sure about my running shape and fitness and had concerns on if my leg would hold up," said Beauvais, who placed third at the Penn Relays last month. "It was reassuring to know that it is still there and that gives me confidence. There is no stopping now; I have to put it out there."
     Beauvais, who reached the 2009 NCAA national semifinal round as a sophomore, and Rowell will compete in Friday's 400-hurdles quarterfinal round at 7:15 p.m.
     UAlbany's Paul Lagno reached the finish line in his 1,500-meter run preliminary heat with a time of 3:50.44. Lagno, who won the IC4A championship two weeks ago in a school-record performance, moved on to Saturday's quarterfinals, scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
     In Friday's qualifying, UAlbany's Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (hammer throw), Luke Schoen (pole vault) and Nasim Siddeeq (triple jump) will make their first appearances of the meet.