ROCK HILL, SC — Winthrop senior javelin thrower Jared Baird will be returning to the scene of one of his greatest athletic moments when he competes in the first round of the NCAA track and field championships May 24 in Jacksonville, FL. Baird has qualified for the first round in all four years of his collegiate career.

Earlier this season on March 3, Baird set a new school and Big South Conference javelin record on the same track at the University of North Florida with a throw of 71.30 meters (233 feet, 11 inches).

“Jared is in a similar position that former NCAA qualifier Ashley Howard was in going into the NCAA first round,” said Winthrop head coach Ben Paxton. “All he needs to do is execute and he can earn a place in the Finals in Iowa in two weeks.”

“It (University of North Florida) is a great place to throw,” Baird said. “I have always thrown well there over the years. The track is a lot like our home track so I feel comfortable there.”

Comfort is important for the fifth-year senior from Truro, Nova Scotia. A week after his big throw at UNF, he pulled a groin muscle throwing at UNC Charlotte. A groin muscle is a tough injury for a javelin thrower.

“Your groin muscle gives your throw a lot of its impulse,” said assistant coach Brett Best. “He struggled a little bit with it early, but he is back to 100 percent now and is really ready to go.”

The first round of the NCAA championships pits the top 48 competitors in each event from all of the schools in their geographic region. Winthrop is in the east region and competes against all Division I schools east of the Mississippi River. Baird is currently ranked 13^th in the east region and 21^st on the national list. If Baird finishes in the top 12 on May 24, he will advance to the second round of the NCAA Championships and will automatically be named an NCAA All-American. The second round will be held at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa on June 6-9.