Saturday was only the first meet of the outdoor season, but the ISU track team has already qualified several athletes for regional competition.

At the ASU Invitational in Tempe, Ariz., the men qualified two athletes in the discus throw. Jamal Cann threw for a distance of 179 feet, 4 inches to finish third in the event, and freshman Chase Madison also qualified, throwing for 169-1 to finish sixth.

Senior Abraham Rotich qualified for regionals in the 800-meter run, finishing third with a time of 1:50.07.

“It was great to qualify these athletes this weekend,” said men’s coach Steve Lynn. “You’d like to be ready for the first meet … that doesn’t always happen, so this was good.”

Lynn noted senior Craig Cartier’s third-place finish in the 1,500-meter run, saying it was the best Cartier has looked in a while.

The women’s team welcomed back four athletes who did not compete in the indoor season. Rebecca Williams, Jenny Mockler, Jummy Alowonle and Agata Kosuda all returned for the trip to Arizona State.

“We brought back four good athletes to this team,” said women’s coach Dick Lee.

“They help raise the team overall by being around.”

Kosuda marked her first meet back with a regional qualifying score in the long jump, finishing third with a jump of 19-11 3/4. Alowonie finished fourth with a jump of 18-9 3/4.

Qualifying with Kosuda was Leigh Wagner, who finished second in the high jump by going over a mark of 5-8 3/4 feet.

Ada Anderson was the final Cyclone to achieve a regional-qualifying total. Anderson finished second in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:07.30.

“[It was] good to see Ada qualify for regionals,” said women’s sprints coach Scott Roberts.

“She ran really well in the race today.”

Sara Boisen also had a strong meet, winning the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:02.34. Freshman Meaghan Peoples finished third with a time of 1:04.65 and Jo Legg finished sixth with a time of 1:05.69.

Lee said he was impressed with the team’s performance Saturday, despite its lack of outdoor practice.

“Weather kept us off the track most of the past couple of weeks,” he said. “Our first time outside on the track was Friday in Phoenix when we were warming up for the meet.

“I think we will be better … there are big plans for this team; I think we can do well.”

Lynn said he hopes the team will improve as the season progresses.

“I expect us to qualify maybe 10 more athletes in different events,” Lynn said.

“I expect and hope that we will be much better once the Drake Relays come around.”

Iowa State’s next meet is Saturday at the Northwest Invitational in Maryville, Mo.

The NCAA regionals will be held May 27-28 in Norman, Okla.