WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The NCAA DIII Indoor National Championships kicked off on Friday afternoon, with three student-athletes from the Trine University track and field team making the trip to North Carolina to compete for four different event championships.
Jake Gladieux [Oregon, Ohio / Whitmer], Evie Miller [Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead] and Valerie Obear [Fishers, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern] competed in preliminary events Friday.
The junior Gladieux qualified for the 60-meter hurdle finals with his heat win in the event. Gladieux finished with a time of 8.10 seconds, breaking his own school record. He enters Saturday's finals with the third-fastest time out of the eight finalists.
Miller was also victorious in her heat of the mile run. The senior finished the event with a time of 4:58.16, the fastest time of the day in preliminary action.
Obear qualified to compete in the weight throw at nationals, but unfortunately fouled in her three attempts to secure a score. She placed 20th in NCAA DIII in the event.
The schedule for tomorrow is as followed for Trine competitors: Miller will compete in the mile run at 2:30 pm, followed by Gladieux in the 60-meter hurdles at 3 pm. Miller wraps up the day for the Thunder in the 3000-meter finals at 4:30 pm.