JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Norfolk State All-Americans Kiara Grant and Martha Bissah both finished among the top 24 in their respective events Thursday night at the NCAA East Preliminary Round, advancing to the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Grant clocked a time of 11.38 in the 100 meters. She placed fourth in her heat and 15^th out of the field of 48 competitors Thursday. Bissah posted a season-best 800-meter time of 2:05.00, taking the third and final automatic qualifying spot from her heat Thursday. In all, she was the 12^th-fastest out of 48 in the heats.

In Saturday's quarterfinals, the top 12 in each event will earn a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships next month. Both Grant and Bissah qualified in those events for outdoor nationals in 2019, the last year the event was held, with Grant earning first-team All-America honors and Bissah second-team honors.

Also Thursday, Malika Pride posted a time of 53.73 seconds in the 400 meters and Grant a 24.16 in the 200, but they did not crack the top 24 to advance to the next round.

Friday, the men's quarterfinals take center stage. Quarter-miler Trequan Barnes and the men's 4x100 relay team will compete for a spot at nationals.