Paul Panning received word late Monday night that he will not be participating in this year's NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
His season-best mark of 17-05 12 in the pole vault, set in Bloomington at the Indiana Invitational Feb. 7, was not good enough to qualify for the NCAA Championships, which is set to take place Friday and Saturday.
Ball State will have no representatives from either the men's or women's track and field teams for the nationwide meet.
This past weekend Notre Dame played host to one of several qualifying meets around the nation. These meets are set up to give athletes a final chance at qualifying for the NCAA Championships.
Panning competed in Notre Dame's Alex Wilson Invitational, hoping to improve his mark in order to increase his chances for qualifying for the NCAA Championships. However, he finished with a 16-00 mark at the meet.
The amount of athletes allowed to participate in the NCAA Championships varies based on events, but this year 16 athletes were chosen to compete in the pole vault. The No. 16-ranked athlete had a qualifying mark of just over 17-06.
Of the 16 athletes who did qualify for the NCAA Championships in the pole vault, three of them set their marks the very same weekend of the Alex Wilson Invitational, at their respective qualifying meets.
It was these performances that knocked Panning out of contention for going to the NCAA Championships.
Panning, along with the rest of the track and field team, will begin the outdoor season March 17 with the Florida State Relays.
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