EUGENE, Ore. - The Portland State track team started the first day of the NCAA West Regional with a historical feat, as sophomore Geronne Black advanced to 100-meter quarterfinal with her time of 11.70 seconds in front of a crowd of 6,381. She is the youngest Viking to ever advance to a regional final.

"I'm just relieved that I made it to tomorrows final," said a surprised Black after finding out she advanced, "I have another day to strive for and try to work on my technical stuff in my race."

The New York City native opened the day for Portland State in the first heat of the 100-meters. Finishing fourth in her heat, just one spot shy of automatically qualifying for the final, Black clocked a time of 11.70 seconds and was forced to wait out the five remaining heats to learn her fate. To her astonishment in the cool down tent, she learned she finished 20th overall in prelims to advance.

"I just thank the Lord that I made it today." Black closed the evening by saying to advance to the NCAA Championship in the 100-meters "It's going to take my best race ever."

Teammate Karene King, racing in the fourth heat of the 100-meters, finished seventh in her heat with a time of 11.97. The Tortola, British Virgin Islands native was 34th overall, but will compete in the preliminary 200-meters race at 5:50 p.m. tomorrow evening. TCU's Jessica Young won prelims with a time of 11.21.

The second flight of the men's javelin featured Portland State junior Sean Mackelvie, making his first NCAA regional appearance. Through the persistent wind and rain at Hayward Field, Mackelvie opened his series of three throws with a heave of 192 feet, five inches, his best throw of the day. He followed up with a second throw of 190-5 and gave his all on his third and final attempt, but it wasn't enough to meet the final flight standard of 216-10. He finished 34th overall.

The javelin competition at the meet today was one of the top highlights of the day, as five throwers surpassed 240 feet, led by Washington's Kyle Nielsen's winning throw of 253-5.

Junior Tony Crisofulli capped the evening for the Vikings in the 800-meters. In the first heat of the event Crisofulli opened his first lap with a split-time of 54 seconds and was in third place. The Vail, Colo., native would close the race with a time of 1:53.90 to finish 41st overall at the regional championship. Crisofulli, a two-time regional qualifier, was the runnerup at the Big Sky Championship two weeks ago in Sacramento, Calif.

Viking Joenisha Vinson will start day two off for PSU tomorrow at 3 p.m., in the 100-meter hurdles, followed by Black in the 100-meter final at 4:20 p.m. King will close the day in the 200-meters.