CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A solid first day of action saw a Texas A&M University-Commerce school record fall and two quarter-milers and a hurdler advance to the finals in the opening day of action at the 2018 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Johnson C. Smith University's Irwin Belk Complex on Thursday.
 
Women's 400 meter runner Kamryn McKee cut nearly half of a second off her own school record and qualified as the third seed with a time of 54.27 seconds. McKee's record time had stood for three years.
 
Men's 400 meter runner Rashard Clark qualified for the finals with a time of 46.92 seconds, easing to a victory in his heat. He has the fourth-fastest qualifying time in the event.
 
Women's 400 meter hurdler Minna Svaerd closed out the evening's action with a heat victory in a time of 59.97 seconds. She will carry the sixth-fastest qualifying time into Saturday's final
 
Decathlete Florian Obst holds a commanding first day lead with 4,191 points, a margin of 372 points over his nearest competitor. Obst had the top mark in three of Thursday's five events, claiming top points in the 100 meter dash (10.73 seconds, 922 points), long jump (7.23m, 23-8 ¾, 869 points), and shot put (15.25m, 50-0 ½, 805 points). He was also second-fastest in the 400 meter dash (48.40 seconds, 890 points).
 
Obst is on pace for one of the top decathlon scores in Division II history with the 110 meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1,500 meter run remaining.
 
Action resumes Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. in Charlotte with the decathlon 110 meter hurdles.
 
FRIDAY SCHEDULE – All Times Eastern
9:30 a.m. – Florian Obst - Decathlon 110 meter hurdles
4:45 p.m. - Jasmine Roberts - Women's Triple Jump
5:35 p.m.  – Rashard Clark and Malcolm Woods – Men's 200 meter dash prelims
5:45 p.m. – Markie Abbott and Chelsea Cheek – Women's High Jump
7:50 p.m. – Men's 4x400 meter relay prelims
8:10 p.m. – Women's 4x400 meter relay prelims