BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - History was made Saturday when Gallaudet University junior Eric Gregory (Metairie, La.) finished third in the 200-meter dash final at the 2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
Gregory crossed the finish line in 21.16 seconds to set a new USA Deaf Track and Field and school record in the 200-meter dash. Gregory's finish in third place makes him an All-American. Gregory finishes the highest a Bison indoor track and field athlete has ever placed at a NCAA indoor national championship. Gregory's previous best time was 21.32 set two weeks ago.Â
Gregory ran in the first of two heats and ran alongside the defending national champion JP Vaught from Centre College, who finished fifth with a time of 21.42 seconds.
Ramapo College of New Jersey senior Cheickna Traore won the event with a new Division III all-time record time of 20.72 seconds. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse sophomore Sam Blaskowski ran alongside Traore in the second heat and posted a time of 21.16 seconds to take second place. Blaskowski's official time was 21.154 compared to Gregory's 21.157.
Gregory becomes Gallaudet's second Indoor Track and Field All-American and his six team points gives the Bison the highest finish (tied for 38th place) they have ever had at a NCAA indoor track and field championship.
Gallaudet's Ken Myers Jr. placed eighth in the triple jump at the 2004 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships to become GU's first indoor track and field All-American. Myers also participated in the 2003 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships in the triple jump but finished 11th overall.Â
Gregory is now a three-time All-American Track and Field sprinter as he won the national championship in the 400-meter dash last May and placed third in the 200-meter dash as he earned All-American status in each event.
UP NEXT
This concludes the indoor season for the Gallaudet track and field program. The Bison will next venture outdoors on March 25 at the Blue & Silver Challenge hosted by Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va.
2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championship Information
