In Tampa, Florida, Liberty junior Alejandro Perlaza Zapata earned a trip to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships to compete in the 400-meter dash thanks to his performance at the qualifying meet Friday.

Perlaza Zapata finished third Friday in his quarterfinal heat and fifth-best overall with a time of 45.28. He’s LU’s first 400-meter national championship qualifier since 2001.

The race for the national championship is set for June 6 in Eugene, Oregon.

Jovaine Atkinson placed second in the first round of the 110 hurdles prelims with a time of 13.92 Friday, moving him into today’s quarterfinal round.