With the men having started their campaign for spots at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships at yesterday’s East and West Preliminary Round Track and Field Championships, the women will begin their quest for qualification when they bow into action today.

With the top 12 finishers in each individual event from both regions booking their tickets to Eugene, Oregon, Jamaica will have strong representation among the women, with three athletes ranked number one in their respective events — two in the East and one in the West.

Dejanea Oakley of the University of Georgia will lead the way today at the East Regionals in Lexington, Kentucky. Two weeks ago at the Southeastern Conference Championships in Auburn, she sped to a collegiate and world-leading 48.92 seconds to win the women’s 400 metres in impressive fashion. She is expected to continue her fine form and should easily advance to Saturday’s quarter-finals. Her teammate, Shaquena Foote, is also well placed to advance in the event, as she is ranked fourth with 50.62 seconds.