The Binghamton University men’s track and field team did not have the same fortune as the men’s basketball team this past weekend, as sophomore Cazal Arnett was unable to advance to the NCAA Championships.

The NCAA Championships commenced this past weekend on Friday and Saturday at Texas A&M University. Arnett was able to take part in the NCAAs because of his outstanding performance at the IC4A Championships one week prior. There, he pulled off a first-place finish in the 400-meter dash with a time of 46.34.

Arnett’s respectable time at the IC4A was good enough to seed him ninth out of 16 total runners for the NCAAs. In the preliminaries he placed 15th with a 47.94 mark. However, he failed to qualify for the finals because of a disqualification, as the judges ruled that he cut into another participant’s lane too early.

It is unfortunate for Arnett because he felt good and thought he had a chance at making the finals. It was certainly possible because of the way he has competed all season, but sadly it did not happen, as the disqualification was announced. Arnett felt he could have given others a run for their money had he not disqualified.

“I definitely thought I had a shot at qualifying for the finals,” Arnett said. “I thought if everything fell into place I could make it into the top eight.”

Binghamton head coach Mike Thompson felt the same way, but they both understand that these things happen and Arnett just has to forget about it and move on. All that can be done is to prepare and work hard for the next event and hope that something like this does not happen again.

Arnett will get a chance to redeem himself as he and his Bearcat teammates will prep for the Dick Shea Invitational hosted by Army, set for March 28.