DeKALB — The track and field team will be sending one of its team leaders to the NCAA Indoor Championships Friday and Saturday.

Junior jumper Jehvania Whyte qualified for the championships in the triple jump after tying the Mid-American Conference triple jump record at 13.13 meters at the MAC Indoor Championships Feb. 24, setting her own school record for the fifth time this season.

The NCAA takes the top 16 performers in each event to represent their schools at the championships. Whyte is the first Huskie to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the history of the program.

Track Head Coach Connie Teaberry said this recognition means a lot to the rest of the team.

“Hard work pays off,” Teaberry said. “The ability to sacrifice and make changes in your life can be a positive thing. Those things are what the team can take away from Jehvania’s experience.”

Whyte said she was excited to hear her jump held up to qualify.

“It was really unbelievable, and I didn’t expect it,” Whyte said. “It was so surreal for me. I was watching the competition, and I realized that none of the other girls that were below me were going to pass me.”

Teaberry said Whyte’s hard work has really paid off this season.

Whyte has improved on her own school triple jump record by 1.21 meters. She has tied the MAC triple jump record and has received the “Performance of the Championship” award during the MAC Championship.