LEXINGTON, KY – Junior Aiden Coles and sophomore Ollie Boltz represented the Iona University men's outdoor track team Wednesday at the NCAA East First Rounds at the University of Kentucky Track and Field Complex.
 

1500-METER RUN

Coles advanced to Friday's quarterfinal round in the 1500-meter run after placing fourth in the opening heat in 3:49.09. The junior earned one of the automatic qualifying spots awarded to the top five finishers in each heat to move on to the next round.
 
Coles posted the 32nd-fastest time overall in the field of 48 competitors. Virginia senior Gary Martin won the heat in 3:47.70, while Michigan sophomore Brendan Herger recorded the top overall preliminary time at 3:42.86. Coles finished .22 seconds ahead of the fifth-place finisher and more than a second clear of sixth place to secure his advancement.
 

10,000-METER RUN

Boltz concluded his sophomore campaign and made his first NCAA Championship appearance in the 10,000-meter run. He placed 41st overall in a time of 30:35.27 against a field of 48 competitors.
 
The top 12 finishers advanced to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Louisville freshman Elsingi Kipruto won the event in 28:30.21.

IONA PERFORMERS

1500: Aiden Coles, 32nd, 3:49.09. 10000: Ollie Boltz, 41st, 30:35.27.
 

UP NEXT

Iona continues action in Kentucky tomorrow with women's junior Tayla Gunton competing in the 10,000-meter run at 9:10 p.m. The men return to competition Friday as Coles vies for a berth to the NCAA Championships in Eugene in the 1500-meter quarterfinals at 5:15 p.m., while freshman Baptiste Cartieaux competes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase semifinal at 5:40 p.m. Gunton returns to action Saturday night in the women's 5,000-meter semifinal.
 

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