DES MOINES, Iowa - Running in the 400-meter hurdles for the first time might be intimidating for some athletes, especially if that first time comes during a conference meet.

For Saints freshman Nkemdilim Okwumabua of Rockford, Ill., there weren't many first-time jitters as she ran her way to a fourth place finish in the event during day one of the Midwest Collegiate Conference Outdoor Championships on Thursday.

With a time of 1:06.77, Okwumubua placed ahead of senior teammate Kim Fabry of Oconto Falls, Wis., who placed 13th with a time of 1:10.55.

Okwumabua also ran in the 200-meter dash, finishing with a time of 27.00 while Fabry placed 14th in the long jump after a leap of 4.76 meters (15'7").

Sophomore Laura Minertz of Sterling, Ill., qualified for Friday's finals in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes with times of 13.22 and 26.49, respectively. Minertz will enter the finals with the eighth fastest time in the 100 and fifth fastest in the 200.

After qualifying for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships last week, freshman Sarah Wenzel of Clinton took fifth place honors in the long jump after leap of 5.26 meters (17'3").

Freshman Natalie Solms of Kissimmee, Fla., competed with Fabry and Wenzel in the long jump as well, finishing with a best jump of 4.81 meters (15'9").

Solms joined freshman Chhutani Berry in the high jump, where Berry finished in eight place after clearing 1.45 meters (4'9") while Solms took 11th place honors after a jump of 1.40 meters (4'7").

The lone thrower for the women on day one, freshman Ashley Voeltz of Fulton, Ill., took 15th place honors in the discus after a toss of 26.59 meters (87'3").