TURLOCK, Cal. – The Shippensburg University men's outdoor track and field program was represented by four competitors on Day 1 of the Division II Outdoor National Championships from Al Brenda Track at Warrior Stadium on the campus of California State University Stanislaus.

Sophomore Matt Gillette qualified for Saturday's finals of the 1,500 meters after a sixth-place turn of 3:55.91. Gillette had the luxury of running in the second of two qualifying heats. Knowing the times of his predecessors, Gillette paced himself through the run and achieved his solid qualifier despite being sixth in his heat.

Freshman Herman Kirkland and sophomore Cody DeBoer were unable to place in the long jump finals. Kirkland's first jump of the day was his best mark – he landed at 23 feet 1 ¼ inches. DeBoer fouled his first two attempts before getting a mark on his final jump.

Both underclassmen wrapped up splendid outdoor campaigns. Kirkland won a conference championship and leapt past the automatic qualifying standards on two occasions this season. He holds the school record with a mark of 25 feet 0 ¾ inches that was achieved at the Paul Kaiser Classic. DeBoer reached nationals after a mark of 24 feet 9 inches from the Fred Hardy Invitational.

Under the lights, senior Sean Stetler competed in a chilly and breezy 10K. Stetler posted a time of 30:58.37 to finish in 15th place. His PR was set earlier this season at the Bison Outdoor Classic.

On Friday, sophomore Tom Troxell will run his preliminary qualifier in the 800 meters at 9:45 p.m.