GENEVA, OHIO – The Chapman University women's track & field team opened the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships with both relays and Annika Carlson running in Thursday's events. Carlson ran into the 3000 meter steeplechase final to highlight the day.

Carlson placed fourth in her heat to earn an automatic trip into the steeplechase final. She ran a 10:48.97, holding off a late kick from the rest of the field to stay in the final automatic qualifying position. She ran most of the race with the lead pack but clipped the bar on one of the hurdles in the middle of the race. She quickly recovered to stay in the top-4.

The women's 4x100m relay of Khyra Stiner, Kaylee Smith, Allie Kremer and Makenna Lizarde took 15th overall with a 47.37 in the wet conditions on the track at the SPIRE Institute. The 4x400m relay with Smith, Kremer Lizarde and Sarah Charles was disqualified.

Smith and Stiner end their careers after competing in three consecutive NCAA Championships while Kremer competed in two. The three seniors made Chapman history after entering a program that had never sent a qualifier for the national championship meet in women's track & field and leaving with three consecutive appearances.

Carlson races in her final today at 1:55 p.m. and Mason Fara makes his second national appearance today at noon in the 400m.