DANVILLE, Va. – Averett University track and field continues to add to its impressive list of firsts this season, as the Cougars send freshman Zaiyon Evans as their first ever representative at the NCAA Championships.

"While seeing Zay qualify is beyond exciting, it is far from a surprise," director of track and field Kameron Blanding said. "This is the result of the hard work that he has put in this year and the commitment he has shown since day one. Having a national qualifier in only year two of this program is a great sign for the future and what is being built here. This is only the beginning."

Evans qualified his way into the men's 100-meter sprint with a program record time of 10.49s. Evans set his fastest time at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships on April 27, where he placed on the podium in the finals, taking second overall. In addition to boasting the single fastest mark in program history, Evans also accounts for each of the top five performances of the season in the 100-meter sprint for the Cougars. 

"It means a lot to me, especially since I'm a freshman coming from a small school," said Evans. "You know people aren't really going to expect that coming from a smaller school with a second year program. It's a shock to them and that's what I like about it."

The native of Charlotte, North Carolina has earned a trip south, past his hometown and down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he will represent Averett in the 100-meter sprint at the NCAA Championships. Averett's participation in the meet is set to kick off on Friday, May 24 at 5:45 p.m. with the 100-meter preliminary event.