With the top five individual performers in each event of the NCAA regional earning an automatic bid to the NCAA track championships in two weeks, there were plenty of opportunities this weekend for Washington to get some of its track stars into the big meet.

The Huskies didn’t disappoint in Eugene, Ore., nabbing 14 automatic bids and several other likely bids based on performance. Head coach Greg Metcalf called it an all-around good weekend.

Pole-vaulter Andrea Peterson led the Huskies Friday with a career-best performance that landed her in second place in the event, good enough for the senior’s first NCAA championship bid.

She improved greatly from her original 17th seed in the west region.

“Andrea Peterson had a monster weekend,” Metcalf said. “She was seventh place in the Pac-10 a couple of weeks ago and then to come in second in the West Regional; her performance was at the top.”

Kyle Nielsen qualified for the championships in the javelin, while Elisa Bryant earned a bid by placing fifth in the hammer throw.

Katie Follett and Anita Campbell, who were in the spotlight in the fall as part of the UW’s championship cross-country team, also punched their ticket to Fayetteville, Ark., the site of the NCAA meet.

But Saturday was when the major action happened, as nine more Huskies qualified for the NCAA championships.

Jordan Boase came back from an injury to win the 400 meters in 45.94 seconds, and the 4x100 relay team of Jeff Gudaltis, Kenjamine Jackson, Randy Bacon and Joe Turner finished third.

“They ran their best time of the year,” Metcalf said. “That was pretty exciting for that group of guys.”

But Zack Midles’ performance was one of the more impressive of the weekend. Entering Saturday’s competition, he was sixth in the hammer throw and released a 210-foot-9-inch toss, later moving to fourth place in the event and earn his first NCAA tournament bid.

“For him to come out and do it on his last throw of the competition, [what would have been] his last throw of the season, that’s what track is all about,” Metcalf said, “doing your best when you’re backed against a wall.”

The NCAA championships start next Wednesday and last for four days.

Reach reporter Allen Wagner at sports@dailyuw.com.