Day 1 Results  |  Thursday Heat Sheets  |  Live Results

MARION, Ind. – Vanguard opened competition at the NAIA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship on Wednesday in solid fashion, qualifying five athletes for the finals in a pair of events.

Sophomore Jordyn Burke, the school's record holder in the 400 meter hurdles, advanced out of the prelims with a time of 62.40 for sixth place overall. She finished second in her heat, earning a spot in Friday's finals at 12:10 p.m. (PT). Burke was the runner-up in her heat to William Carey's Joy Abu, who had the second-fastest prelim time of 59.57 seconds.

Burke, who reset her own school record on April 14 in 61.78 seconds, would achieve All-American status as a result of finishing in the top eight.

Jordyn Burke also joined forces with sister Eryn Burke, Dorothy Jackson and Armiyah Johnson in the 4x100 relay. The quartet punched their ticket to Friday's finals after posting the seventh-fastest overall time (46.23) and placing third in their heat. The four Lions improved upon their No. 2 mark on the all-time VU list, trimming .23 off their 46.46 time from April 8.

They need to finish in the top eight to become All-Americans, and get that opportunity at 10:40 a.m. (PT) on Friday.

Also on the oval were Penelopi Leach, Kate Baranski, Karla Sanchez-Ruiz and Jessina Morales representing the Blue and Gold in the 4x800 relay. The Lions finished the race in 9:42.41 for 18th place overall.

In Thursday's action, Eryn Burke will hit the track first as she participates in the 400 meter prelims at 1:00 p.m. (PT). Later that afternoon, she will return to action in the 4x400 meter relay prelims with teammates Elizabeth Betten, Brooke Dalgity and Jordyn Burke at 5:15 p.m. (PT).

What Was Said?: "We had a solid first day and we're proud of how all our athletes performed," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins. "We're excited Jordyn and the women's 4x1 advanced to the finals."