LEXINGTON, Kent.—Roy Morris liked Oregon so much as a freshman in 2025, he wanted to go back this time around as well.

Morris posted a massive personal best jump of 25-7.25 in the long jump to make his second appearance in nationals in as many seasons Wednesday evening at the NCAA East First Round on the campus of the University of Kentucky.

"It feels great to make it back," Morris said. "I am very excited to get this chance again. I came into this meet focused on doing my best and making it to nationals again. To PR again this meet just pushes me to keep working. I always pray and ask God and my Pop Pop to help me make it and finish strong. I focus only on myself and what I need to do."

Despite being ranked No. 47 coming in nationally and No. 23 in the NCAA East, he made it to Oregon once again and was one of three athletes ranked outside the top 40 nationally to make it to nationals from the East.

Morris once again performed his best when it was needed, especially against a strong group of jumpers.

Last season, Morris posted a jump of 24-8.25 on a rainy day to finish ninth and earn his trip to nationals. This season, that jump would have placed him in 21^st place.

But he posted his big jump to place sixth.

"You know we've heard comments about how we were lucky and the weather helped him get in last year," assistant coach Alex Wills said. "So, we definitely had some motivation going in this year.

"But really, Roy is just a gamer and knows how to keep a level head when it's go time. For him to come out and jump over 25 feet on all 3 attempts was amazing to see. Now it's time to get back to work and see what we can do in Eugene."

It is his second personal best in as many meets, as he jumped a 25-4 to win the gold at the Southland Championships.

He aims to become a Demons All-American as a freshman and sophomore in an outdoor open event for the first time since Cody Fillinich in the javelin back in 2005 and 2006.

Also in the long jump, Elijah Rowe recorded a jump of 24-1.5 to finish 29^th.

In the shot put, La'Darion Dudley finished 41st with a toss of 55-9.25.

On the track, Will Achee narrowly missed out on advancing to the quarterfinals in the 400-meter dash with a 26^th-place finish, running a 45.92.

Teammate Charlie Bartholomew finished closely behind with a 46.18 to come in 32^nd.

Kalen Beavers came in 43^rd in the 100-meter dash, running a 10.51.

Dishaun Lamb ran a 14.34 in the 110-meter hurdles, also finishing 43^rd.

Next up is the women's turn, as the Lady Demons start their regionals Thursday with the javelin, as Teodora Samac and Anisha Gibbons kick off the day for them at noon. Juvonna Cornette starts the track events for NSU with the 100-meter dash at 6 p.m.