MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Redshirt junior Cassandra Williamson of the West Virginia University Track and Field team advanced to the quarterfinal round of the women's 800 meter at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Thursday evening in Lexington, Kentucky.

Williamson claimed the quarterfinal bid after finishing third in the first heat of the 800 meters with a time of 2:04.25. With the top three of each heat and next six fastest time moving onto to the next round, Williamson secured her spot with an 11^th place finish.

Thursday's race marks the second-best time in the event for Williamson. The redshirt junior previously broke WVU's record in the 800 meters for the second time this season on May 11 at the Big 12 Track and Field Championship with a time of 2:03.87.

Next, Williamson will compete in the women's 800-meter quarterfinal race on Saturday at approximately 7:05 p.m. ET, at the Outdoor Track and Field Facility in Lexington.

Additionally, redshirt seniors Sarah Tait and Mikenna Vanderheyden will race in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase quarterfinals on Saturday. The pair kick off the day of competition for the Mountaineers at 5:40 p.m.

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