GENEVA, Ohio – The Trine Track and Field team competed at day one of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by SPIRE Institute on Thursday. A trio of Thunder athletes took to the track.
 
Bailey Puckett highlighted the day for the Thunder, qualifying for Saturday's final in the 1500-meter run. Puckett placed fifth in her heat behind a strong kick over the last 200 meters. The top four in each heat plus the next four best times qualified for the final. Puckett's time of 4:31.31 was the seventh fastest in the preliminary round. Puckett will run for a national title on Saturday at 1:35 p.m. The top eight finishers will earn All-America status.
 
Sidney Swick competed in the 10,000-meter run final. She placed 20^th and finished in 36:52.86. This was Swick's first trip to the track and field championships.
 
Ethan Spahr competed in day one of the decathlon. He opened the day with strong performances in the 100-meter dash and the long jump. He then threw shot put and high jumped before closing the day on the track in the 400-meter dash. He tallied a day one total of 3,388 points. His 400-meter time was disallowed after he committed a lane violation. He is now 21^st with a total of 2,685 points.
 
Zion Jackson will run the 110-meter hurdle prelims tomorrow at 2:10 p.m. He enters ranked 10^th in the event.