AUSTIN, Texas - On the opening day of the NCAA West Preliminary Round, the Fighting Illini women's track and field team had three student-athletes compete and all three qualified for the quarterfinals of their respective events. Nicole Choquette and Amanda Duvendack will race for a spot in the NCAA National Championships 800m field on Friday, while Alyssa Schneider will have a similar opportunity on Saturday in the 1,500m.

In the 800m, Duvendack and Choquette entered the weekend seeded No. 16 and No. 18, respectively, and each of them improved on that mark heading into the quarterfinals. In the second of six heats, Choquette finished third in 2:08.59, automatically qualifying for tomorrow's quarterfinals. In the fourth heat, Duvendack used a strong kick down the homestretch to guarantee her spot in the quarterfinals, finishing third in 2:08.85. Needing top-12 finishes in Friday's race to qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Choquette and Duvendack should be in the mix as they the No. 11 and No. 13 seeds, respectively. The 800m quarterfinals are tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.

In the 1,500m, Schneider is also in the mix for a berth to the NCAA National Championships after qualifying for Saturday's quarterfinals. Schneider finished sixth in the event's final heat, just missing out on an automatic spot in the next round. However, her time of 4:24.21 was fastest enough to punch her ticket to the quarterfinals. Also needing a top-12 finish to advance to Eugene, Schneider is seeded No. 13 heading into Saturday's race. The 1,500m quarterfinals will take place on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

The Illini will return to action tomorrow for the second day of the NCAA West Preliminary Round. Stephanie Richartz and Jennifer DeBellis will get things started for the Orange and Blue at 1 p.m. in the pole vault, while track events will begin at 5:00 p.m. with Breeana Coleman the first round of the 100m hurdles. Kandie Bloch-Jones will compete in the high jump at 6:00 p.m. and Britten Petrey will run the steeplechase at 8:50 p.m.

A full list of Illinois results and a schedule of remaining Illini competitors can be found below.

Illini Results - Day 1
Q/q = qualified for quarterfinals

800m
11. Nicole Choquette - 2:08.59 Q
13. Amanda Duvendack - 2:08.85 Q

1,500m
13. Alyssa Schneider - 4:24.21 q

Friday, May 29
1:00 p.m. - Pole Vault (Jennifer DeBellis & Stephanie Richartz)
5:00 p.m. - 100m Hurdles First Round (Breeana Coleman)
6:00 p.m. - High Jump (Kandie Bloch-Jones)
7:00 p.m. - 800m Quarterfinals (Nicole Choquette & Amanda Duvendack)
8:50 p.m. - 3,000m Steeplechase (Britten Petrey)

Saturday, May 30
6:30 p.m. - 1,500m Quarterfinal (Alyssa Schneider)
7:05 p.m. - 100m Hurdles Quarterfinal
8:05 p.m. - 5,000m (Alyssa Schneider)