The Briar Cliff track and field opened the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships Wednesday in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Charger 4x100 team, Ben Jefferies and Lexus Mosbrucker represented the Cliff on day one of the meet.

"It was a great first day," said head coach Scott Barnes. "The 4x100 relay won their heat and got us to the finals round. It's great to get that off our back as we have had four relays in the last three years just miss the finals by one or two spots. We pretty much had the lead from the get-go and with people to chase, we will look to improve the eighth place ranking going into finals."

The 4x100 relay of Dominic Archer, Ben Jefferies, Tulsa Janish and Ryan Kotey kicked off the meet for BC with a first-place finish in their heat. They posted the eighth fastest time at 41.17 seconds and advanced to Friday's finals.

A couple of hours after the team's 4x100 race, Jefferies advanced to the finals in the 200-meter dash. He posted the fifth-fastest time at 21.23 seconds and was first place in his heat.

"Ben was up next in the 200 and just did what he does best, win and advance," said Barnes "He ran a smooth and controlled race to win the heat. Lexus had an amazing season and a very consistent day throwing over 36 meters."

Mosbrucker competed in the javelin but was unable to hit a qualifying mark in her attempts.

Hope Wagner is in action tomorrow in the shot put at 2:30 p.m. Jefferies is back on the track tomorrow at 4:40 p.m. for the 400-meter dash prelims.