BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Cornell women's track and field team had a strong first day at the NCAA Preliminary East Round at the Robert C. Haugh Complex in Bloomington, Ind. The Big Red advanced one runner to the semifinals and had three strong efforts on the afternoon.

Brooke Overholt qualified for Saturday's finals in the 400m hurdles, with her time of 58.95 placing her fourth in her heat and 21st overall to advance. The school record holder in the event was more than a second off her career-best effort, a mark that would place her among the top three runners.

School record holder Victoria Atkinson tied for 19th in the pole vault, clearing 4.11m (13-5 3/4). Completing in the second flight, she surpassed each of the first three heights on her first attempt, one of just three athletes to complete that feat, before faulting on each of her three attempts at 4.21m. 

Senior multi-event star Beatrice Juskeviciute grabbed 38th place in the javelin with a toss of 43.34m (142-2).

Overholt (400m hurdles) and Heps champions Marguerite Lorenzo (high jump) will both compete on Saturday with a chance to punch their tickets to Eugene, Ore. for the NCAA Championship.