FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Adam Bunker became the fourth Utah Valley University student-athlete to qualify for the NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships with his performance in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Friday at John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas.
 
Bunker set a new school record with his time of 8:40.0, previously held by All-American Trac Norris (8:40.9) from 2016. Bunker was fourth in his heat and 12th overall to earn the final spot from the West Preliminary Rounds. He competed in heat two and came in right behind third-place finisher Bryce Lentz of Air Force, who finished in 8:39.73, with the top three in each heat automatically qualifying. Bunker had to wait until the third heat went final before learning if his run qualified for the trip to Eugene.

"I'm so happy. I didn't know if I was going to get it, so I stood down at the end of the track with a couple friends from other schools and we're counting on our hands and trying to figure out I needed to make it. I'm just so happy," Bunker said. "You can't not get fast with Coach (Scott) Houle and Coach (Chris) Shane as coaches. I don't worry about anything, as long as I do the workouts they give us I know I'll be there. It's the same for everyone, it's the coaching. UVU was a good choice. I love it here."
 
Seth Krauss also competed in the high jump for Utah Valley on Friday. He was successful through 2.10m, clearing the first three on his first attempts each time. He finished in a tie for 17th, just shy of the top 12 in his bid to advance to Eugene.
 
Utah Valley has student-athletes competing in one more event, with Hannah Branch, Everlyn Kemboi and Mazzie Melaney Preston running on Saturday in the 5,000-meter semifinals. Branch and Melaney Preston will be in the first heat, which is slated for an 8:10 p.m. CT start, while Kemboi will run in heat two. The top five from each heat plus the next two best times will advance to the finals in Oregon.
 
Kemboi and Branch made program history on Thursday, becoming the first female athletes from Utah Valley to earn trips to the NCAA Championships, qualifying in the 10,000-meter race. Aaron Johnson secured his berth in the long jump finals with his performance on Wednesday.