ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Lee University track & field teams competed in six events on the first day of competition at the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The three-day championships are being held at Grand Valley State Track & Field Stadium.

Carissa Hall was the lone Lee athlete in an event final on the opening day. Hall finished 14^th in the Long Jump with a mark of 5.73 meters. Prior to that, Hall placed sixth in her heat of the 400-Meter Dash with a time of 55.90 seconds. She finished 17^th overall and did not qualify for the final.

Toni Moore and Celine Ritter advanced to their event finals. Moore grabbed the final spot in Friday's 3000-Meter Steeplechase final. She stopped the clock at 10:34.86 to finish in 12^th position, just 1.38 seconds ahead of 13^th. Ritter placed third in the 1500-Meter Run preliminaries with a time of 4:23.08 to advance to Saturday's final. Aria Hawkins finished 13^th in the 1500 with a personal best of 4:27.91.

Jeremiah McCain just missed advancing to the final of the 400-Meter Hurdles. His time of 51.68 put him in fifth place in his heat, but Damaine Dixon of Lindenwood University claimed the final position with a time of 51.66. The top two finishers of each of the three heats and the next three best times advanced to the final. With his Top 12 finish, McCain earned Second Team All-American status.

Wynand Du Toit crossed the finish line of his 400-meter race at 48.62 seconds. He was sixth in his heat and 15^th overall.

The Flames and Lady Flames will have a lighter day on Friday with athletes in three events. Kristen Blevins begins the day for Lee in the 200-Meter Dash preliminaries at 5:45 p.m. EDT. Titus Lagat will take the track right after in the prelims of the 800-Meter Run. Moore caps off the day with the Steeplechase final at 7:30.