Savannah State University Athletics

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State freshman Eric Plump has qualified for the NCAA Track & Field Regional in the men's 200m.

The Columbus, Georgia native qualified for the the event by winning the 200m race on April 18 at the Osprey Challenge in Jacksonville, Florida with a time of 21.32.

Plump (6-1, 187) has also qualified for the USATF National Junior Championships in the 200m.

Plump said "its feels really good" about qualifying.

"I'm happy about it. I'm always trying to get my time down."

A computer information system major who made a 3.5 grade point average in his first semester in college, Plump graduated from Hardaway High School in Columbus where he was a four-sport athlete-- football, basketball, wrestling and track.

While in high school, he was recruited by Stillman, Jacksonville State and Mississippi College among others but selected SSU.

"It (SSU) was close to home and in-state," states Plump.

Plump recorded a time of 21.50 in the 200m while in high school but has improved his speed thanks to his college coaches.

"Coach (Theodore) Whitaker changed my running form and coach (Rephel) Martin helped me with my strength and conditioning,"says Plump.

During his senior season at Hardaway, Plump ran at the state AAA track meet and placed in three events. He won the 100m, came in second as apart of the 4x100m relay team and placed third in the 200m.

The NCAA Regional will be May 27-30 in Greensboro, North Carolina while the National Junior Championships will be June 25-26 in Eugene, Oregon.