May 21, 2009

San Angelo, Tex. - Day one of the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships saw five Grand Valley State athletes qualify for the finals after competing in the preliminary rounds on Thursday (May 21). GVSU had a pair of athletes qualify in two of the same events at Angelo State, while prelims continue on Friday afternoon.

The Lakers had three athletes qualify on the men's side. Sophomore Tyler Emmorey was GVSU's highest finisher on day one, as his time of 9:21.05 in the 3000 meter steeplechase was good for a sixth-place finish. Senior Chris Hammer also qualified in the 3000 meter steeplechase, notching an 11th-place tally with a time of 9:27.03. In the 400 meter hurdles, senior Bill Makela made the cut with an eighth-place finish, totaling a time of 52:82 in the event.

Two GVSU female athletes moved onto the finals. Freshman Monica Kinney used a time of 4:33.79 in the 1500 meter run to place eighth in the field, while senior Susie Rivard made the cut with a 12th-place finish in the same event with a time of 4:37.51.

The Grand Valley State women's 4x100 meter relay team of Amber Triner, Kayla Vallar, Candice Wheat, and Serena Black finished just outside of the top-eight teams with a time of 46.68 seconds, just .30 seconds short of qualifying. Kirsten Nozime placed 10th in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:01.54.

Preliminary qualifying continues on Friday for all events, except for the heptathlon, decathlon, and field events. Saturday will mark the final day of competition.