VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- Tusculum University senior sprinter Zackary Nelson advanced to the finals of the men's 400 meters at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championship on Friday at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

Nelson, running in the fourth of five heats, ran 47.84 seconds and earned seventh place in the field of 15 runners, which qualifies him for the championship race on Saturday at 5 p.m. Last season, Nelson was 15th overall with a time of 48.33 seconds.

Senior Marquel Pittman finished 12th overall in the 60 meters with a time of 6.80 seconds. Pittman was sixth in his heat and 12th out of the 14 runners who competed in the event. Pittman's time was tied for his fifth-fastest of the season in 11 races, and was slightly faster than his third-place time of 6.81 seconds at the South Atlantic Conference Championship meet.

Nelson, a native of St. Johns, Florida, will become the third Tusculum All-American in track and field, joining Widchard Guervil (six times) and Nicole McMillen (three times). The Pioneers have had at least one All-America recipient between indoor and outdoor track and field in five of the program's six seasons.

NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championship
at Virginia Beach, Va. (Day 1 of 2)
Tusculum results
60 meters: 12. Marquel Pittman, 6.80.
400 meters: 7. Zackary Nelson, 47.84 (advances).