GENEVA, Ohio – Dave Marks and Fernando Esparanza qualified for the finals of the 3,000-meter run to give Lewis-Clark State College three finalists at the NAIA Indoor Track & field National Championships being held at the Geneva Area Recreational, Educational and Athletic Trust Sports Complex.
Marks and Esparanza finished third and fifth, respectively, in the second semifinal heat on Friday to qualify for the finals. Each heat had 12 runners and only the top five finishers from each heat as well as the next four fastest times qualified for the finals.
Marks, a sophomore from Lake Oswego, Ore., ran the third-fastest time over in 8 minutes, 28.73 seconds, which was both a personal best and a school record. Esparanza, a junior from Huesca, Spain ran a personal best 8:34.74.
The two will now compete in the finals, which are scheduled for 12:20 p.m., Pacific time on Saturday.
The pair join sophomore teammate Jimmy Oribo in Saturday’s finals. Oribo qualified for the 5,000-meter finals on Thursday and his race will take place at 1:10 p.m. on Saturday.
The three are the only LCSC competitors at the meet.
