George Mason sophomore Mandissa Marshall advanced to the NCAA Championships on Thursday evening when she finished in a five-way tie for first place in the pole vault, clearing 4.00 meters, tying her own school record in the process. Marshall was competing at the NCAA East Regional on the campus of Indiana University along with other members of the track and field team.

Sophomore David Verburg had the third-fastest time in the first round of the 400. Verburg ran the race in 46.69 seconds, one of just five student-athletes to break the 47 second mark. He advances to Friday's quarterfinals. Also competing in the 400 meters were Nick Vaughn, who finished 27^th in 48.06 seconds, and Kevin Wilson, who was 33^rd in 48.36 seconds. Neither advanced to the quarterfinals.

Tyler Golden was 22^nd in the first round of the 800 meters, running the race in 1:50.57, good enough for a spot in Friday's quarterfinals.

Earlier in the day, Rachaunn Ruffin was 33^rd in the 100 meters in 10.65 seconds, Parker Boudreau finished 43^rd in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:56.62, and Taylor Wheaton was 46^th in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:03.02.

Competing in the long jump, Lavell Handy was 15^th with a jump of 7.39 meters while Dwight Webley was 42^nd with a leap of 7.01 meters. Only the top 12 advanced to the NCAA Championships.

Competing for the first time on Friday will be Grace Mavugara in the triple jump, and Adrian Vaughn in the 200 meters while Ruffin will again compete, this time in the 200, while Handy and Webley will be competing in the triple jump.