ASHEVILLE, N.C. — On Thursday, Milligan University's outdoor track and field programs continued their three-day quest at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a pair of preliminary rounds. In the early stages of the afternoon, a thunderstorm struck the Asheville area, delaying both prelims for the Buffs. When the skies cleared, Luis Peralta and Ellen-Mary Kearney each punched their tickets to Friday's 800-meter finals.

Peralta took the lead at the 200-meter mark and never relinquished it, hitting the bell lap with a 54.11 split and pulling away in the final 400 meters. Oliver Cabana of Central Methodist made a push in the final 200 meters, but Peralta held on for a wire-to-wire victory in 1:49.03, securing his spot in tomorrow's championship race.

Kearney ran in a stacked first heat that produced four finalists, with the top two auto-qualifiers and the next two fastest times across three heats advancing. Kearney earned her spot as the top non-auto qualifier, posting a season-best 2:09.19 for third in the heat to secure her place in tomorrow's 800-meter final.

Milligan's battle for a red banner will continue tomorrow, May 22, in Asheville with national titles on the line across a full slate of finals. Trevor Sinard opens the day in the men's discus throw at 9 a.m., followed by Kearney in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase final at 2:30 p.m. and Marti Molins Rallo in the men's 1500-meter final at 3:20 p.m. Kearney returns to the track for the women's 800-meter final at 4:05 p.m., with Peralta following in the men's 800-meter final at 4:10 p.m. Karly Wilhjelm closes out the Milligan effort in the women's 5000-meter run at 4:35 p.m.

Click HERE to view the full results.