EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Justin Hoffman advanced to the semifinals of the 110 meter hurdles at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championship while the 4 x 100 meter relay squad moved on as well to highlight the opening day of competition for the Yellow Jackets.

Hoffman turned in a time of 14.82 seconds to place 2nd in his heat and qualify for the semifinals. The 4 x 100 unit of Travis Smith, Marcus Benjamin, Michael Beight, and Sammy Starr was 3rd in their heat in 41.82 seconds which was just 0.01 shy of their school record.

Three other CU athletes failed to advance out of the heats in their respective events. Evan Thayer was 5th in the 1,500 meters (3:57.59), Brandon Tress was 5th in the 400 meter hurdles (54.57), and Jud Brooker was 8th in the 800 meters (1:56.52).

The 4 x 800 meter relay team of Kevin Kuhn, Ethan Blagg, Jordan Davies, and Brooker finished 7th in its heat in 7:48.74. The foursome failed to advance after falling just 0.72 seconds short of the school record.