Despite competing in less than ideal conditions on Thursday, the Emory University Women's Track and Field team began the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships on a strong note as the Eagles qualified for three event finals. The NCAA D-III Championships are taking place at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio.
Advancing to the finals on day one was the 4x100m Relay team of sophomores Dilys Osei, Dani Bland, Ariana Newhouse and junior Julia Leventhal; junior Gabrielle Stravach in the 1500m Run; and Bland in the 200m Dash. The finals will take place throughout the afternoon on Saturday.
The 4x100m Relay began day one by finishing seventh overall in the preliminary heats. The group clocked in with a time 47.46 and were one of nine relay teams to advance to the final, set to start at 12:05 PM on Saturday.
Stravach followed by posting the fifth-fastest time of the preliminaries of the 1500m Run at 4:31.99. She will be one of 12 runners competing in Saturday's final, beginning at 12:25 PM.
Bland recorded a time of 24.98 in the 200m Dash, finishing third in heat three. Her time placed her ninth during the preliminaries, earning the ninth and final qualifying spot in the finals. The 200m Dash final are slated to start at 2:40 PM on Saturday.
Senior Mia Eisenhandler also represented the Eagles on Thursday, competing in the 3000m Steeplechase. Eisenhandler registered a time of 11:17.40 as she placed 18th overall in the event.
The 4x400m Relay rounded out Thursday's slate of action as Osei, Newhouse, freshman Kaitlyn Leonard and junior Erica Goldman finished 11th overall with a time of 3:52.14.
Newhouse and Bland will be the lone Emory athletes in action on Friday as Newhouse competes in the 400m Dash at 2:45 PM with Bland to follow at 3:15 PM in the 100m Dash. Fans can follow the action with live updating results: http://results.deltatiming.com/ncaa/tf/2017-ncaa-d3-outdoor-championships#/2017-05-26 and live video: http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule.