ROCHESTER, N.Y. — First year Ariella Rogahn-Press (Albuquerque, N.M./Bosque School) qualified for the finals of the 400 meters with the fastest time in the preliminary round today in a school-record 55.97 at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships at Nazareth University. 

Rogahn-Press entered the day ranked seventh in the nation in the 400 with a time of 56.22, a time she clocked at the Maverick Premier on Feb. 14, making her first-place finish today all the more impressive. 

Today's finish helps her build on an already impressive debut season where she claimed All-MIAC Rookie of the Year, All-North Region honors, All-MIAC honors in the 200m and All-MIAC honorable mention in the 400m and as a member of the 4x400m and 4x200m relay teams. She has already set and lowered school records in the 400m and 200m.

Next, she'll race in the final, scheduled to start at 4:40 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, March 15 at the Golisano Training Center at Nazareth University. 

Click here to view the championship website.