JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Wednesday night, Yale's Sean Kay competed at the first day of competition at the NCAA East First Round. Kay ran in the 10,000m, a packed race which included all the event's 48 competitors. 
 
Kay kept up with the race's leaders early on, holding a quick pace, with an impressive 68-second lap on the way to a series of consecutive fast splits. Over time, the fast pace separated athletes out, and the pace of much of the field slowed. In all, this wasn't the fastest race for the majority of athletes but was tactical and provided a competitive battle for Kay, racing against such a high caliber of competitors. Kay undoubtedly held his own and, having been seeded 47^th, he came away with a 38^th place finish. It is important to note that these competitors comprise the very greatest in the region, and so Kay took on several highly talented athletes to improve on his expected position. This year was his first time at these regional NCAA championships, and so the current junior will enter next year with this valuable experience in the tank, no doubt being pushed to even higher heights.

Qualifying for these championships in the first place is a spectacular accomplishment, and this rounds off a great season for Kay, both on the grassy cross-country courses all the way back in September to the current hot track of Jacksonville. This outdoor campaign Kay's 10k best of 29:25.10 puts him fifth on the Yale all-time list, and his season has also reached its peaks when its counted most. Kay has raced exceptionally well and had top 10 finishes in each of the cross country, indoor, and outdoor Heps championships.
 
Full results for Day one of the NCAA First Round can be found here.