JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Four Norfolk State athletes advanced through their first-round heats at the NCAA East Preliminary Round meet on Thursday night at the University of North Florida, moving them one step away from qualifying for the outdoor national meet in June.

Kiara Grant (100 meters) and Martha Bissah (800 meters) cruised into Friday's quarterfinal round, where they will be joined by Spartan men Jaylen Banks (400m hurdles) and Trequan Barnes (400 meters). Each finished among the top 24 individuals out of the 48-runner field in their events Thursday.

A second-team indoor All-American in the 60 meters, Grant had the fastest first-round time in the women's 100 meters, posting an 11.24. Bissah, a first-team indoor All-American in the half-mile, was runner-up in her heat in 2:05.62.

Banks clocked a time of 51.19 seconds, placing third in his heat to earn an automatic spot in Friday's 400 hurdles quarterfinals. Barnes had to sweat it out, as he placed fourth in his 400m heat in 46.63 seconds. He advanced on time.

Also Thursday, junior Bobby Price competed in the long jump, but failed to advance. His best jump was 23 feet, 2.75 inches, 34th out of the 48-man field. In other track events, Tyrika Lee (11.75) and DaJah Parker-Love (11.80) competed in the 100 meters and Malika Pride ran in the 400-meter heats (54.15), but the trio fell short of advancing.

On Friday, Banks will also compete in the 110-meter hurdles first round and Grant will run in the 200 meter prelims, in addition to their other quarterfinal races. Lee also runs in the 200 meters Friday, while high jumper Jacob Milton competes on Saturday.