Lincoln in good shape after first day of DII championships

The Lincoln track and field teams did just what you're ideally supposed to do on the first day of the national meet - advance.

Competing in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, the Blue Tigers had plenty of individuals move on from Thursday's prelims to Saturday's finals.

And in the lone finals-only event of the day featuring Lincoln, the Blue Tigers' Nickeisha Beaumont finished just short of gaining any team points, as she finished ninth in the women's long jump (5.83 meters).

Also on the women's side, the Blue Tigers will have two finalists in the 400-meter hurdles, as Michelle Cumberbatch was the top qualifier in 58.59 and Yanique Haye was third in 59.55.

Two Blue Tigers also advanced to the final of the 400-meter dash, as Lovan Palmer was third in prelims (53.48) and Haye was seventh (54.30).

In the 1,500-meter run, Twishana Williams won her heat in 4:36.27 to advance to Saturday's final.

The Blue Tigers qualified fifth in the 4x100-meter relay, as the team of Jenea Johnson, Latoya King, Yanique Ellington and Cardine Copeland finished in 45.87.

In the 100-meter dash prelims, two advanced as Ellington was sixth (11.61) and Copeland was ninth (11.73).

The Lincoln men qualified two for Saturday's final in the 400-meter hurdles, as Romel Lewis was third in the prelims (51.67) and Sabiel Anderson was fifth (51.80).

The Blue Tigers' 4x100-meter relay team of Devin Hill, Lewis, Michael Ashley and Anderson qualified fifth in 40.22.

Ashley also qualified in the 400-meter dash, finishing ninth (46.91) in prelims, while Lewis qualified eighth in the 100-meter dash (10.31).

Also at the championships, Brent Vogel of the University of Central Missouri stands in third at the halfway point of the decathlon.

Vogel (Helias High School) racked up 3,877 points after the first five events, which is 193 points back of first place.

Vogel won the 400-meter dash and was fourth in the long jump and shot put, fifth in the 100-meter dash and ninth in the high jump. He will complete the event today.