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Senior middle distance runner Jesse Garn has advanced to the finals of the 800 at the NCAA East Regional Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The three-day meet, which began Thursday, is being hosted by North Florida University.

Running in the first of six eight-runner heats, Garn was second with a time of 1:48.36. The top three finishers in each heat plus the next six fastest times advanced to the finals, which will be held at 7:15 p.m. today, May 29.

Winning Garn’s heat was Joseph White of Georgetown (1:48.16). The fastest overall time of 1:47.66 was recorded by Clayton Murphy of Akron. Garn, who was seeeded ninth coming into the weekend, finished with the seventh-fastest time in the preliminary round.

In the finals of the 800, there will be three heats of eight runners. The top three finishers in each heat, as well as the next three fastest times, will advance to the NCAA Championships, which will be held June 10-13 in Eugene, Oregon.

Garn is making his third trip to the NCAA Regional Meet in four years. He was 23rd overall in the 800 in 2012 and placed 13th in the 1,500 the following year.

Also today, sophomore jumper Keishorea Armstrong will compete in the long jump, starting at 7 p.m. She will then return to compete in the triple jump on Saturday, May 30, at 4 p.m. There will be four heats of 12 jumpers in both events. Each competitor will get three attempts. The top 12 overall finishers will advance to the NCAA Championships.

This marks Armstrong’s first trip to the NCAA East Regional Meet.