Running at the NCAA Championship for the first time in their career, freshmen Wilma Nielsen and Tiana LoStracco of the Bradley track and field team both advanced to the quarterfinal round at the NCAA West Preliminary on Thursday.
Nielsen and LoStracco finished second and third in the fifth heat of the 800m run, earning automatic bids to the quarterfinal round on Saturday. Nielsen clocked a time of 2:06.70, while LoStracco was right behind her teammate at 2:06.74.
Overall, Nielsen and LoStracco are just two of six freshmen to reach the quarterfinal round out of the West Region.