INDIANAPOLIS, IN — On Thursday afternoon, the NCAA released its list of qualifiers for the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field First Rounds, featuring Alex Kristeller and Paul Brennan in the Men's Hammer Throw and Lewis Forster in the Men's Javelin Throw. The trio of Jaspers will travel down to the East First Round Site at the University of North Florida next week to compete against the region's best.
"Qualifying for the NCAA First Round is a well-deserved honor for Alex, Paul, and Lewis," said Kerri Inman, director of cross country and track & field at Manhattan University. "They have their focus and sights set on qualifying for the Final in Eugene, Oregon, and will continue to make us proud with their efforts."
Senior Alex Kristeller will enter the Men's Hammer competition as the 14th-ranked athlete in the East. Kristeller is fresh off winning gold in the hammer at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which took place at Rider University on May 10 and 11. At MAACs, Kristeller launched his throw 65.11m to land atop the field. In 2024, he finished 16th place at the East First Round, narrowly missing out on the East's Top 12, who qualified for the 2024 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Kristeller's personal best in the hammer is 66.90m.
Graduate student Paul Brennan is set to compete in the East First Round for the first time. The former Princeton University standout secured second place in the hammer at this month's MAAC Outdoor Championships, compiling a score of 60.21m. The Cranbury, New Jersey native notched a personal best of 64.79m at the Ramapo Track & Field Invitational in March. He took first place at Ramapo and, a week later, was also runner-up at the Metropolitan Outdoor Track & Field Championship. Brennan enters next week's competition as the 24th-ranked hammer thrower in the East.
Sophomore Lewis Forster made the Top 48 for the Men's Javelin Throw, punching his ticket as the 47th-ranked athlete in the field. For the second straight year, Forster finished as the runner-up in the javelin at the MAAC Outdoor Championships. He was edged by Mount St. Mary's freshman Brandon Falconer, who will be seeded 14th at the East First Round. By qualifying for Jacksonville, Forster continues to grow his pedigree after becoming the U-20 Javelin National Champion last summer in his home country of England. In March, Forster set his new personal best of 62.97m, taking home sixth place at the competitive Raleigh Relays.
The First Round of the Men's Hammer Throw in the East First Round will take place on Wednesday, May 28, at 10:00 AM ET. Meanwhile, the Men's Javelin event is scheduled for 2:30 PM ET that same day. All events for the East First Round (May 28-31) will be held at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium and will be available to watch live on ESPN+ with a subscription.
The top 12 in each event will qualify for the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, which will take place from June 11 to 14. Last year, former Jasper RJ Decker finished 17th in the nation in the Men's Hammer Throw, earning him All-American Honorable Mention status.
For more information on the events at the East First Round Site, click HERE.
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