TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Three student-athletes scored and four others qualified for final events on Friday evening during the opening day of the 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship.

Cassie Aerts (David City, Neb.) was the Bulldogs' top finisher in a final with a fourth-place showing in the 10,000 meters. Her time of 36:30.28 was just 14 seconds off the winning pace in what was her first 10,000 meters as a Bulldog.

The men's team got points from a pair of field events with David Silkman (Leawood, Kan.) finishing fifth in the javelin with a throw of 192-0, his best toss in two seasons. Michael Dolan (Lincolnshire, Ill.) was seventh in the hammer throw with a mark of 173-5, a personal best.

The women's team advanced a pair to the finals in the 1,500 meters as Emma Huston (Des Moines, Iowa) and Taylor Scholl (Prior Lake, Minn.) both moved through the preliminary heats. Huston recorded the second fastest time of the day in 4:34.61 while Scholl was the first competitor to advance on time alone in 4:33.44 in the second heat of the event.

In the men's 1,500 meters, Robert McCann (Mississauga, Ontario) had the second best time of the day in 3:55.62 to advance as well. Demetrius Shelton (Markham, Ill.) clocked a personal best time of 21.21 to finish fifth in the heats of the 200 meters and advance to the final as well.

Action resumes at the MVC Championship on Saturday with field events starting at 3 p.m. And action on the track beginning at 5 p.m.
 

2016 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship – Day 1 May 13, 2016 Terre Haute, Ind.   Drake Individual Women's Results 200 Meters (Prelims) 18. Rai Ahmed-Green, 25.20   1,500 Meters (Prelims) 2. Emma Huston, 4:34.61 9. Taylor Scholl, 4:33.44   10,000 Meters 4. Cassie Aerts, 36:30.28   Pole Vault 12. Christina LeMunyon, 11-8   Women's Team Standings (Through 4 events) 1. Wichita State 49 2. Southern Illinois 27 3. Northern Iowa 26 4. Bradley 19 5. Illinois State 10 6. Indiana State 8 6. Loyola (Ill.) 8 8. Drake 5 9. Missouri State 4

2016 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship – Day 1 May 13, 2016 Terre Haute, Ind.   Drake Individual Men's Results 200 Meters (Prelims) 5. Demetrius Shelton, 21.21 11. Pierce Vincent, 21.53 20. Aaron Chier, 22.04   1,500 Meters (Prelims) 2. Robert McCann, 3:55.62 13. Ali Jandal, 3:58.72 14. Josh Yeager, 3:58.72   10,000 Meters 13. Griffin Jaworski, 31:39.95   Hammer Throw 7. Michael Dolan, 173-5   Javelin 5. David Silkman, 192-0   Men's Team Standings (Through 3 events) 1. Wichita State 55 2. Southern Illinois 25 3. Illinois State 12 4. Northern Iowa 11 5. Drake 6 6. Bradley 4 6. Indiana State 4