Nick Lyndaker is through his first race at the NCAA championships, and it was a successful outing for the reigning mile run national champion. He will return to race the final Saturday after winning his heat of the mile run's prelim, earning an automatic qualification to the final.

Lyndaker placed sixth overall in the prelim factoring in the finishes of the 10 other competitors from the second heat. 

He began the race jockeying for the lead with Colorado College's Rabbit Barnes, holding a top-two spot for the race's opening laps. In the back half of the race, the field began catching him. He dropped to fourth and entered the final lap in that position, but kept the top three in striking distance. He kicked out on the final straightaway and won the heat in 4:12.90.

"Nick got it done today!" said Saints head coach John Newman. "He did what was needed to advance to the final tomorrow which was the only real goal today. He had another epic battle as he approached the line but surged at the right time to get the top Big Q from his heat. Time to rest and gear up for the two finals tomorrow."

Saturday's final is scheduled for 5:10 p.m., and that will be Lyndaker's next appearance at NCAAs as he battles for a second consecutive national title with 10 others. The Canton, N.Y. native will also run the 3,000-meter run final which is scheduled for 6:50 p.m.