SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Jesse Middendorf and Alec Nelson were the first North Dakota track and field athletes to compete at the NCAA West Preliminary Round and ran in the 800 meters on Wednesday.

Middendorf finished 33rd in the 800 meters with a time of 1:50.50. With his time, he now has the top finish in school history in the 800 meters at the NCAA West Preliminary Round. Before Wednesday night, Jesse Fenstermacher was the only other runner in UND history to qualify for the meet in the 800 meters on the men's side and was 45th in 2015 with a time of 1:53.50.

Nelson also ran in the 800 meters and was 38th with a time of 1:50.93. That time also beat Fenstermacher's mark from the 2015 NCAA Regional.

Both Middendorf and Nelson drew heat three and were shy of the time to qualify for the 800 meter quarterfinal on Friday. The final qualifying time from their heat was 1:48.63, earned by Bobby Poynter of USC.

Throughout the season, Middendorf and Nelson battled for the top spot in school history in the 800 meters. Nelson currently holds the school record with a time of 1:48.97, set at the Kip Janvrin Open. Middendorf has the second-fastest time in program history at 1:49.05, which earned him the silver medal at the Summit League Outdoor Championships two weeks ago.

Kenna Curry and Elise Ulseth will be the next Fighting Hawks to compete at the NCAA West Preliminary Round on Thursday. Curry will open the meet, throwing in both the hammer throw at Noon (CT) and shot put at 8 p.m. (CT). Ulseth will take part in the long jump at 8 p.m. (CT).