May 24, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas -- Utah Valley University junior Shelise Walker finished third in her heat with the time of 4 minutes, 30.16 seconds in the 1500 meters Thursday at the NCAA Preliminary at Mike A. Myers Stadium to advance to the quarterfinals.

"She really ran a good tactical race. It wasn't overly fast, but it was probably her best race of the year," UVU track and field coach Scott Houle said. "When there were gaps she took them, and when the group sped up, she went with them. She did what she needed to do to get to the next round."

She will compete in the semifinals at 5:45 p.m. MT Saturday. If she finishes in the top five in her quarterfinal heat or has one of the top two times not of the top five, she'll advance to the semifinals in Drake, Iowa, next month.

In other action Thursday, freshman Nicholas Taylor (10.462) narrowly missed qualifying in the 100 meters, while McKell Camp-Nielson (50.87 meters) and Tim Rowberry (1:52.27) failed to advance in the women's javelin and men's 800 meters, respectively.

Maryn Pincock will be in action in the discus at 10 a.m. Friday, while Taylor will compete in the 200 meters at 7:10 p.m.

Live results can be found here.