JACKSONVILLE, FL- Sophomore Danielle Steff advanced to the finals of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships after a 10^th overall finish in the East Preliminary regional at the University of North Florida. She hit a personal best of 164'2" to finish in a qualifying spot for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field finals in Austin, Texas. In the women's 800 meters, Allie Wilson and Brianna Stratz advanced to the quarterfinals for the event on Friday.

NOTES AND QUOTES

• "We had 5 of our 8 athletes compete today and they all did an excellent job. Danielle Steff knew she had to a bid throw and really came through. Khalid Slocum was very close to advancing to Texas as well. Montel Johnson definitely made the most of the opportunity. Then Allie Wilson and Brianna Stratz closed the day for us by executing their race plan perfectly." – Head Coach Joe Compagni
• Steff advances to the biggest stage in NCAA Track and Field by by nearly breaking the school record in the javelin.
• Wilson earned an automatic qualifying spot in the quarterfinals of the women's 800 meters by winning her heat in 2:05.22 while Stratz finished 4^th in her heat to earn a time-qualifying time of 2:06.5.
• Slocum nearly missed out on a place in the NCAA Champion finals by 2.25 inches as his long jump of 24'5.5" finished just short as he finished 16^th in the event.
• Johnson, in his first appearance at the NCAA Championships, finished 35^th with a throw of 184' which is an improvement of more than 30 feet on his best from freshman year.

NEXT UP

• Mark Orlando and Peter Flacco will compete in the first round of the javelin at noon tomorrow. The 800 meter tandem of Wilson and Stratz will compete at 6:30 in the quarterfinals.