FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In the lone event for North Dakota on day three of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary Round, Louis-Lys Fanucchi made headlines as he punched his ticket to the national meet after a glimmering showing in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase on Friday evening.
 
The Frenchman seemingly understood the assignment right from the get-go as he blazed out to the front of the pack in the first heat of the event. His early domination helped propel his way to a third-place finish in the heat alongside a time of 8:33.56, which marked a brand new personal best and the fastest time in North Dakota program history. It also helped Fanucchi clinch the automatic bid to the NCAA Outdoor Championships as a top-three heat-finisher before placing seventh overall after two more heats of competitors.
 
His clocking serves as the third time he's competed in the event this season. Fanucchi's first performance of the year in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the Stanford Invitational was what helped him initially qualify for the NCAA West Prelims after running a then-personal best of 8:42.15 to take first place.
 
And now—following his first-ever NCAA West Prelims appearance—the sophomore will soon take on his first ever NCAA Track and Field Championship meet.
 
The final day of action at the NCAA West Preliminary Round will feature three Fighting Hawks in three different events as Anya Wiliams takes on the high jump at 2 p.m., Frida Giersdorff runs the 3000-meter steeplechase at 5:40 p.m. and Jadyn Keeler competes in the 5000-meter run at 8:10 p.m.

For more information on North Dakota track and field, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDtrackfieldXC.