GENEVA, Ohio – Augustana senior Brandon Wilkerson (Tri-Point HS, Stelle, Ill.) qualified for the finals of the 3000-meter steeplechase Thursday on day one of the NCAA Division III  Outdoor Track & Field Championships at SPIRE Institute. Senior Ryan Ganson (Geneseo HS, Geneseo, Ill.) was also in competition for Coach Jake Shaver's Vikings, finishing 14th in the javelin.
 
Wilkerson ran a 9:15.08 steeplechase in Thursday's prelims to finish fifth in the second heat and ninth overall. Sixth in the nation a year ago, he'll compete in this year's finals on Saturday, May 25 at 11:45 a.m. EDT.
 
In the javelin, Ganson threw 183' 5" to place 14th. Jordan Entwistle of Massachusetts-Dartmouth captured the national title with a throw of 210' 10".
 
Augustana senior Cody Wheeler (United Township HS, East Moline, Ill.) will be in action on Saturday as well. Second in the nation in the hammer a year ago, he'll bring the nation's second-best mark of 209' 5" into this year's finals at 1:45 p.m. EDT.