BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A pair of Illinois track and field student-athletes – graduate student Jon Davis and junior Olivia Howell – advanced to the men's and women's mile finals on Day One of the NCAA Division I Indoor Championship on Friday (March 11) night at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

"Today was great," said assistant distances coach Sarah Haveman. "Both Jon and Olivia showed great maturity and poise and navigated their prelims well. We are greatly looking forward to tomorrow."

Davis ran the fastest time in the men's mile semifinals with a facility record of 3:57.04 to advance to the event's final, while Howell finished third in her heat with a time of 4:36.24 to earn an automatic spot in the women's mile final.

The duo will return to action on Saturday (March 12) with men's mile final set for a 4 p.m. CT start and the women's mile final scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

Davis and Howell will be joined by junior Tyler Sudduth, who will be competing in the men's shot put, with prelims and finals beginning at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday.    

Follow the Action
Live results will be available through the NCAA website HERE and Illini fans can follow the action on @IlliniTrackXC on Twitter.

ESPN3 will stream the championships live starting at 10:30 a.m. CT on Saturday. A re-air of the championship will take place starting at 8:30 p.m. CT on Sunday (March 13) on ESPNU.

NCAA Indoor Championships | Day 1 Results
Men's Mile Semifinal
1. Jon Davis | 3:57.04

Women's Mile Semifinal
10. Olivia Howell | 4:36.24

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