Stockley punches ticket to 1500 final on day one of NAIA Outdoor Nationals

GULF SHORES, Ala. (May 25, 2022) – A pair of student-athletes from Milligan University's outdoor track & field teams competed in prelims for the 1500 on the first day of the NAIA National Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Will Stockley ran 3:57.12, fifth-fastest heat one, meaning he would be first in line to qualify with the best remaining time outside of the top four finishers from each heat. The second heat was the faster of the two with the top seven finishers posting a faster time than the top finisher in heat one, but Stockley's mark was good enough to grab the final spot in the Friday's 1500 meter final.

Dominy finished eighth in the first heat of the 1500 prelims with a time of 4:46.25. After the second heat, she placed 14th in the prelims, two spots out of a berth in the 1500 final.

"Both Caitlin and Will ended up in typical national champs tactical prelims with a lot of yo-yo'ing and jostling and it really just came down to the last 300 meters," said head coach Chris Layne. "Really happy for Will - he'll be ready Friday, and I thought Caitlin looked good enough to make the final, you're just splitting hairs in this league in that type of race. She's had a breakthrough year and I'm extremely proud of her."

Sylas Chambers (800), Skylan Stephens (400), Avery DeWolf Burton (5k), Bryn Woodall (5k) and Aaron Jones (5k) will compete in prelims in their respective events tomorrow.