· Day 1 results

Redshirt junior Dana Mecke recorded the third-fastest 800 meters time in school history on Thursday night.

AUSTIN — Redshirt junior Dana Mecke ran the third-best 800 meters time in UTSA history and advanced to the NCAA Championships West Preliminary Rounds quarterfinals on Thursday evening.

Mecke clocked a personal-best 2:08.14 in her two-lap run around the Mike A. Myers Stadium track. The Bulverde native overcame trouble in the first of six heats, almost falling entering the final turn, and her strong finish enabled her to claim the 22nd of 24 spots in Friday's quarterfinals (6:45 p.m.).

The nine-time Southland Conference Champion will need to finish among the top 12 in the quarters to move on to the next month's NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore.

"There was a lot of traffic entering the final turn and I almost fell down, but I didn't want my season to end like that," Mecke said. "I tried not to panic and finish the race strong hoping I would be able to move on. It was a long wait to find out but well worth it. I really am looking forward to tomorrow night."

Mecke's opening-round time bettered her 2:08.36 recorded in winning the Southland title two weeks ago by 22 one-hundredths of a second and it was just eight clicks shy of the second-best performance in school annals (2:08.06, Cindy Dunagin, 1990). Katie Poindexter holds the Roadrunners record of 2:05.00, which was set during the 2002 campaign.

The three-day meet continues on Friday and senior Jessica Jones will join her teammate on the track when she competes in the 100m hurdles at 5 p.m.