GULF SHORES, Ala. --- Carlos Martinez beat the lightning to qualify for the finals of the 1,500 meter run at the 2022 NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Wednesday at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium Complex. The senior was the lone University of St. Francis representative to advance to the finals on the first day after the meet was cut short by lightning with three events to go.

Martinez posted the sixth fastest time among 24 competitors in the event to advance to Friday's finals. He turned in a time of 3:55.47.

Jordan Freese, the only other Saint to compete in the event, finished 22nd with his time of 4:03.27.

USF's only other representation in the meet on Wednesday was its 4x100 meter relay team, which did not finish due to a baton exchange disqualification.

Also scheduled to compete on Wednesday were Omar Paramo and Michael Reif in the 10,000 meter event before the night's activities were postponed. That will be rescheduled for either Thursday or Friday when the Championships continue.    

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