Women's Track & Field | 5/21/2015 10:42:00 PM

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Three members of the Wayne State University women's track and field squad competed on day one of the 2015 NCAA Championships being held at Grand Valley State University.

Junior Chelsea Johnson (Oxford, Mich.) qualified for Friday's finals in the 3,000m steeplechase by recording the fourth fastest time in the two preliminary heats.  Johnson's time of 10:32.73 was the second-fastest in school history behind her GLIAC Championship time of 10:26.40 last month.

Both senior Lauren Gagnon (Waterford, Mich. / Mott) and junior Kayla Balfour (St. Clair, Mich.) participated in the 10k timed finals.  Balfour placed 15th in a time of 35:54.57, while Gagnon placed 20th with a time of 37:05.41.

"A great job today by all," commented head coach Rick Cummins.  "It's nice to see Lauren bounce back from injury with a solid race to finish her collegiate career.  Three NCAA Championship appearances (cross country, indoor and outdoor) including a cross country All-American and sixth-place team finish last fall.  She (Gagnon) had a tremendous career.

"KB (Balfour) gave it a valiant effort and finished 15th.  She has had a great year as well.  She still has the 5k on Saturday.

"CJ (Johnson) ran a perfect race.  Prelims can be scary (some people did not get through) and unpredictable.  She handled it well and is in good shape heading into tomorrow's final," added Cummins.

Johnson will be the lone Warrior competing on Friday with the 3,000m steeplechase scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Sophomore Elizabeth Herriman (Adrian, Mich. / Sand Creek) will be participating in the javelin on Saturday morning (11:00 a.m.) with both Johnson and Balfour running in the 5k Saturday evening.