JACKSONVILLE, Florida – McNeese javelin thrower Hunter Longino will begin his quest to return to the NCAA Track and Field Championships on Wednesday when he competes at the 2023 NCAA East First Round.
 
Longino, the 2023 Southland Conference champion in the event, was a 2021 NCAA All-American honorable mention recipient as a freshman. He missed the 2022 season due to an injury.
 
He'll throw at 12:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday. The day's event will broadcast on ESPN Plus.
 
Longino ranked 40^th in the NCAA East Region with a season-best throw of 214'5" that he marked at the McNeese Cowboy Relays. In eight meets on the season, he surpassed 200-feet four times, including in each of the last three competitions. He's placed first four times on the season with two other top five finishes.
 
Cowgirl javelin thrower Blanche Beard and hammer thrower Mariah Lee will compete on Thursday. A preview for their competitions will be released on Wednesday.