PITTSBURG, Kansas – Merari Coronado became the second Embry-Riddle student-athlete in as many days to compete at the NCAA II Indoor Track & Field National Championships on Saturday, representing the Blue and Gold in the shot put. Coronado finished 15th, missing out on qualifying for the finals by less than two feet.
 
Coronado, seeded 17th in the event, competed in the first of two flights. As the fifth of 10 competitors to throw in her flight, Coronado was in ninth place after the first round with a toss of 12.85m. Her second throw proved to be much better, and was, in fact, her best throw of the competition, at 14.05m. Coronado's final throw couldn't match that distance, and she ended up finishing the flight in sixth place. In the second flight, nine competitors bettered Coronado's mark, moving her down to a final position of 15th place. A distance of 14.65m proved to be the ninth-best mark, which was the final qualifying position for the finals.
 
The Eagles will kick off the outdoor season next weekend when they travel to Orlando for the Black and Gold Challenge hosted by UCF March 16-17.