George Mason sophomore Chris Carrington passed the first proverbial hurdle. Now the only thing that remains in his quest to be a national champion is one race. On Friday, Carrington finished fourth in the prelims of the 800 meters, thereby advancing to the finals on Saturday at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Carrington ran the fourth fastest time in the race's first heat, but because only the top three finishers automatically qualify for the finals, he needed to wait until the second heat ended to see if he was one of the next two fastest. He was, and he will race on Saturday in a field of eight. Carrington's 1:48.63 was the fourth fastest time overall, not just in his heat. Fred Samoei of Alabama won the heat, setting a new facility record. Michael Preble of Texas A&M was second while Michael Rutt of Connecticut was third.

"Chris did an excellent job for his first trip to the NCAAs, not necessarily because he made the final, but more because of the mature and confident way he raced," said Andrew Gerard, Director of Track and Field/Cross Country. "He had a plan, committed to it, and really made the race his own. Tomorrow is really gravy because our first goal was to execute his race and put himself in position to make the final and he's accomplished that. I really look forward to seeing him race tomorrow."

Carrington entered the meet with the third-fastest time on the season, a 1:47.30. That time was not matched, as Samoei ran a 1:47.80, and so Carrington enters the final knowing he can top the others in the field. Saturday's finals will be run at 7:30 p.m. At 8:25 p.m., tomorrow, the Mason 4X400-meter relay team will compete, looking to better its seventh-place finish from last year's NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.