AUSTIN, Texas – Drake University senior Reed Fischer (Minnetonka, Minn.) continued his stellar season by advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 10,000 meters. Fischer, the reigning Missouri Valley Conference champion in the event, advanced by virtue of finishing eighth at the NCAA West Preliminary Thursday evening.
 
Fischer crossed the finish line in 29:57.37 to easily advance to the NCAA Championships. He moved through the field in the second half of the race, passing 11 other runners in the final 4,000 meters before taking eighth place. The NCAA Championship appearance is the second straight for Fischer who last season ended up finishing 17^th in the 10,000 meters. Earlier this season, he qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championship after winning his first of four MVC titles this season.
 
Earlier in the afternoon, senior hurdler Bas Van Leersum (Zaandam, The Netherlands) crossed the finish line in 51.85 in the 400-meter hurdles to finish fourth in his heat and 19^th overall. His overall and place advanced him to tomorrow's quarterfinal heats. The top three finishers in each of the three heats and the next three top times will advance to the NCAA Championships. Hudson Priebe (Chamberlain, S.D.) also competed in the 400-meter hurdles but did not advance, finishing 43^rd in 54.03.
 
Freshman Caulin Graves (Kansas City, Mo.) ended his season by finishing 36^th overall in the men's 100 meters in 10.40. The finish caps a breakout season in which he finished second in the 200 meters at the MVC Championships and fourth in the 100 meters.
 
Van Leersum will be one of two Bulldogs competing on Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary. He will attempt to secure his spot in the NCAA Championship field at 7:15 p.m. Earlier in the day, Mary Young (Urbandale, Iowa) will compete in the women's 100-meter hurdles with her first round race starting at 4:30 p.m.