SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Jehvania Whyte (Kingston, Jamaica/Vere Technical) of the Northern Illinois University women's track and field team advanced to the NCAA Championships in the triple jump with a 10th place finish at the NCAA West Preliminary on Saturday afternoon.

The two-time defending Mid-American Conference outdoor triple jump champion, Whyte recorded a best leap of 12.89m (42-03.50) to reach the NCAA finals for the second consecutive year.

"Jehvania stepped up again in her final outdoor season to earn a spot in the NCAA finals," said NIU Director of Track and Field Connie Teaberry. "It was not her best (jump) series, but the prelims are about placing in the top 12. We will head to the drawing board next week to correct small technical issues I noticed today. This is not an easy competition to get into, but she has done it again. I am extremely proud of Jehvania and her will to perform."

Whyte, who earned All-America honors with a seventh-place finish at the 2018 NCAA Championships, was in the fourth of four flights and started the West Preliminary with what would prove to be her best jump of 12.89m, immediately vaulting into a top-12 qualifying spot for the NCAA Championships.

The NIU senior ranked sixth after the first round of jumps for flight four and then measured 12.82m (42-00.75) on both her second and third attempts, but her first leap was good enough to maintain a top-12 spot and move on to the NCAA Finals in Austin, Texas.

Jumping in flight one, Huskie freshman Diamond Riley (St. Louis, Mo./Ritenour) posted a best mark of 12.33m (40-05.50) to finish 32nd in her first career appearance at the NCAA Preliminaries.

"It was a great showing by both of our athletes today," said Teaberry. "Diamond Riley got a taste of the NCAA Championship life and enjoyed the experience. She now has the fire to return and is prepared for the tough competition that comes with this level. To qualify as a freshman is impressive and I'm excited to see where the next three years progress to."

Whyte will move on to represent NIU at the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas. The women's triple jump competition is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, the final day of the NCAA Championship.