LAWRENCE, Kan. - Drake University junior Reed Fischer (Minnetonka, Minn.) turned in another strong performance in the 10,000 meters to advance to the NCAA Championships.

Fischer finished sixth in the strong field at the NCAA West Preliminary at Rock Chalk Park to advance to the NCAA Championships with a time of 29:53.25. Fischer ran towards the front of the 48-runner pack throughout all 26 laps but found himself in 14th place at the midway mark before moving to the outside to navigate into the lead group. 

Once there, he kept pace with the leaders and remained in sixth to more than guarantee his spot in the NCAA field. He will try to qualify for a second event on Saturday as he races in the 5,000 meters at 2 p.m.

Fischer was one of eight Bulldogs to compete on Friday after the first day of the competition on Thursday was postponed due to inclement weather.

Emma Huston (Des Moines, Iowa) just missed advancing in the 10,000 meters as she finished in 17th in 34:59.96. The top 12 competitors in the field advanced, but Huston will race again on Saturday at 1:20 p.m. in the 5,000 meters.

Pierce Vincent (Fayetteville, Ga.) closed his tremendous senior season by finishing 25th in the 100 meters with a time of 10.52. Robert McCann (Mississauga, Ontario), the Missouri Valley Conference steeplechase champion also turned in   top-25 performance in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

"Everyone was fired up for Thursday, then the rain and lightning forced a complete suspension," said Drake head coach Natasha Kaiser-Brown. "We were back at it today at 6:30 a.m. and were just a little flat. Plus the new format added extra pressure. We had great efforts, but with the time and schedule change, we struggled to do what you need to do to advance."

In addition to Huston and Fischer competing on Saturday, sophomore Mary Young (Urbandale, Iowa) steps into the blocks in the 100-meter hurdles at 11:30 a.m.