Jacksonville, Florida - UMBC sophomore sprinter Alpha Balde shook off a four-hour delay and advanced to the quarterfinals in the 200-meter dash at the NCAA East Regional Track & Field Championships early Thursday morning at the University of North Florida.

Balde, the America East Conference champion in the event, finished second in his heat with a time of 20.83 and recorded the 12th-fastest time in the event. Balde will race at 7:50 p.m. on Friday with the opportunity to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The top three from each of the three heats, along with the next three best times, will advance to Eugene.

Balde toed the line at 12:40 a.m. due to a weather delay that forced the event to go well into the evening. Additionally, he participated in the 100-meter dash less than two hours before the 200-meter dash. Unfortunately, Balde did not advance in the 100-meters, clocking a time of 10.45 and finishing 33rd out of 47 competitors.

Earlier in the day, junior Toren Burr just missed advancing to Eugene in the javelin throw as he placed 28th of 48 competitors with a toss of 62.82 meters (206-1), just shy of his personal-best effort of 63.07 meters (206-11).

Sophomore Genelle Stephens will compete on Thursday at 4:50 p.m. in the 400-meter hurdles, while junior losif Papa will compete on Friday afternoon in the discus.