JACKSONVILLE - Jax State Track and Field seniors Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno and Hailey Tucker closed out their careers on Thursday at the NCAA East First Round in Jacksonville, Fla. The two qualified for the NCAA First Round with program records in the 1500m and 400m hurdles respectively.
 
"We are incredibly proud of both for their accomplishments this season," said Jax State head coach Jeremy Provence, "Today, they competed with the same passion and toughness we have seen all season."
  
Jimeno placed eighth in her heat with a time of 4:21.58, placing 35th overall in the 1500m. The senior boasts the program record in the 1500m at 4:18.24, a time that qualified her for the East First Round.
 
Tucker finished the 100m hurdle in a time of 59.24, good enough for sixth in her heat and 37th overall. Neither Tucker or Jimeno qualified for Saturday's quarterfinals.
 
"We are forever grateful they chose to call Jax State home the past four years," said Provence, "The impact they have had both on the track and off is something that will be remembered for a long time."
 
Jimeno earned her spot with a 4:18.24 1500m time set at the Georgia Tech Invitational on April 19. A time is also the best mark in Jax State's program history. Jimeno also boasts the Jax State program record in the 800m.
 
Tucker secured her spot in the East First Round by clocking a program best, 58.30 in the 400m hurdles at the Conference USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, where she earned first in the qualifying round. Tucker also lays claim to the program's best time in the 100m hurdles.