GULF SHORES, Ala. — Freshman Nic O'Neill got the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships underway for the University of South Carolina Beaufort on Thursday, finishing 17th in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase. 

O'Neill ran a time of 9:34.40, about six seconds off his school-record time to finish ninth in his heat. The top 14 runners advanced to Saturday's final. 

"Seventeenth in the nation as a freshman, can't be mad about that," O'Neill said. "I'll be back next year. Excited for the future." 

Junior Ty'Chelle Freeman will be the only Sand Shark in action Friday, competing in the women's shot put at 1 p.m. CT (2 ET). Freeman is competing at nationals for the second straight year after finishing 20th last year.

Juniors Joyce Miller and Melissa Carder will compete in the women's marathon at 6 a.m. CT (7 ET) Saturday morning. 

Fans can watch streaming video of select events or follow live results for all events throughout the national championships.