By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University athlete Jewell Sparks (Jr., San Francisco, CA/Lick Wilmerding HS) has been chosen to compete in the women's 400-meter hurdles at the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, set for May 25-27 in Geneva, Ohio. Sparks will participate in the preliminary heats on Thursday, May 25, with the final set for Saturday, May 27.

Sparks qualified for the NCAA Championships with a personal record time of 1:02.16 at the Portland Twilight on May 12. She is tied for the 16th fastest qualifying time among the 22 athletes chosen to compete in the 400-meter hurdles at the championships.

The 400-meter hurdles will begin with the preliminary heats at 3 p.m. EDT/12 p.m. PDT on Thursday. The final is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. EDT/11:15 a.m. PDT on Saturday.

Sparks is ranked second on Willamette's all-time list in the 400 hurdles. This season, she has lowered her personal record by 3.43 seconds from 1:05.59 at the 2016 West Coast Invitational. She has finished each of her last four races in under 2:03.