June 7, 2012

DES MOINES, Iowa - Lamar University's Tom Wade advanced to Saturday's finals in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday.

Wade placed second in his heat in a time of 8 minutes, 40.50 seconds, which puts him fourth on Lamar's all-time list. The top five finishers in each of the two semifinal heats along with the next four fastest times advanced to Saturday's finals.

"I would have liked to have broken 8:40, but I'm very happy with my time," Wade said. "I have another chance at it on Saturday, I don't know how it will be running another steeplechase on short rest, but I'm going to give it my best shot."

Lamar's Joe Wade failed to advance to Saturday's finals after placing 11th in his heat in 9:08.03.

Tom Wade, who was an honorable mention All-America in the steeplechase last season, looks to become Lamar's first All-America since Joonas Harjamaki placed seventh in the steeplechase in 2010. Lamar's last national champion was Thomas Eriksson, who captured the men's high jump title in 1985.

The men's steeplechase final is set for 11:52 a.m. Saturday at Drake University. The event will be televised live on ESPNU.

LAMAR