Mackie advances to 800 meter final

DES MOINES, Iowa – Nachelle Mackie took care of business on Wednesday and advanced to the 800 meter final at the 2012 NCAA Track and Field Championships on Jim Duncan Track at Drake Stadium.

“Nachelle (Mackie) won her heat and will compete for a national championship on Friday,” BYU head coach Patrick Shane said. “It should be a great battle between Nachelle, Chanelle Price from Tennesse and Laura Roesler from Oregon, the defending outdoor national champion. I really like Nachelle’s chances. It will come down to running a smart race.”

Mackie, the 2012 National Indoor Champion in the 800 meters, won her heat with a time of 2:02.58. She owns the top outdoor time in the country this season, 2:01.11. Price and Roesler ran in the same heat and Price finished with the top time of 2:01.66 while Roesler came in at 2:02.09.

Allyson Anderson competed in the javelin and finished with a throw that measured 148-1 (45.14m). She finished 16th overall. Lacey Bleazard also competed in the 800 meters and clocked a time of 2:06.86, 20th overall. Neither advanced to the finals in their respective events.

Mackie will compete in the 800 meter final on Friday at 6:20 p.m. CT. Friday's action will be available live onilne at ESPN3.com.

NCAA Championship Results

NCAA Championship Schedule