GULF SHORES, Ala. --- Lightning cut short the first day of the NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium Complex, but not before the University of St. Francis qualified two individuals for the finals of the 1,500 meter run on Wednesday.

Sabrina Baftiri recorded the second fastest time in the preliminaries, while Ana Mendoza Pineda turned in the seventh best time among 21 runners. Baftiri was just one tenth of one second behind the top runner, finishing at 4:38.03. Jessica Price of Shawnee State University (Ohio) led the pack at 4:37.93.

Pineda ran a 4:41.22.

By finishing in the Top 12, Baftiri and Pineda now advance to Friday's finals.

In USF's only other competition on the day, the 4x100 meter relay team of Shyasia Baker, Talia Jones-Wright, Mara Bruno, and Alyssa Dolan placed 19th out of 39 teams, finishing in an even 48 seconds.

USF's 4x800 meter relay team was also scheduled to compete as were Katherine Bakken, Laisha Corona, and Daly Galloway in the 10,000 meter event on Wednesday.  Those races will be rescheduled for either Thursday or Friday when the Championships continue.

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