BRADENTON, Fla. - The SVSU Track & Field Team had its 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship qualifiers compete on the opening day Thursday (May 25), as four Cardinal student-athletes were in action at the IMG Academy.

Joey Southgate ran in the 10,000 meters, competing in the final event for Thursday night. He entered the event ranked 21st, but the senior registered a personal best time of 29:44.82. That put him in sixth place, earning him all-american honors for the first time. 

Taylor Stepanski qualified for Saturday's 1,500 meters finals after posting a fourth place showing in the prelims. She crossed the line in a time of 4:27.75. She will run in Saturday's finals at 5:35 p.m. 

Sam Black sits in third place after his great opening day of the decathlon. He has racked-up 850 points after matching his personal best with a 6' 8.75" performance in the high jump. He added a time of 50.48 seconds in the 400 meter section, adding 793 points with the personal best time. Black added a long jump distance of 6.69 meters, also a personal best for 741 points. His 100 meter time of 11.26 seconds was also a personal best. His shot put distance of 13.21 meters was also a personal best mark. Sam's third place standing after day one has him with 3,868 total points.

Jullane Walker ran in the 100 meters, posting an 11th place showing with his time of 10.52 seconds. He finished just 0.04 seconds off a qualifying finish.

Up Next...

Black will be the only Cardinal in action on Friday, as he finishes-off competition in the decathlon. The events begin at 9:30 a.m. for Black. Ryan Kelly and Tom Goforth will join Stepanski on Saturday, as they compete in the shot put and 5,000 meters at 5:05 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., respectively.

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