KINGSVILLE, Texas – Jonah Theisen was in action on the first day of the NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and qualified for the finals in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

In Friday's opening heat of the men's steeplechase, Theisen took third place to automatically qualify for Friday's final. The top four finishers in each of the two heats, plus the next top four times make up the 12 competitors in the final. The senior from Kenai, Alaska, finished in 9:13.01, more than a second faster than the fourth place finisher of the heat, to easily move on to the finals.

Leakey Kipkosgei of American International (9:07.54) and Austin Pasch of Minnesota State (9:12.92) finished ahead of Theisen. The three from the first heat had the top three times entering the finals.

Theisen will run in the steeplechase finals May 24 at 6:30 p.m. (MST). Theisen will run in the 5k on Saturday, while Jordyn Huneke and Whitney Scott will both be in action in the women's pole vault on Saturday.