GENEVA — Senior Kase Schalois (Van Wert) was the lone competitor for the Ohio Northern men's track and field team on day one of the men's side of the 2017 NCAA Div. III National Championships at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio on Thursday afternoon.

The senior competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, where he finished fourth place overall in 9:20.53 and advanced to Saturday's final in the event.

"This was a really good race," said Schalois. "I was just trying to make sure I was in a good spot throughout the race and I really think I set myself up well. I had a pretty good gap between me and the guys behind me on the last lap so I felt comfortable towards the end knowing I had plenty of room. I'm looking forward to Saturday and can't wait to get back on the track."

"I think we handled our emotions well today," said head coach Jason Maus. "We really managed our races well. Kase was very good today. He was very sound and technical and ran a really good race. We like where we are at heading into Saturday's finals."

The Polar Bears will return to action on Thursday for day two of the 2017 NCAA Div. III Outdoor National Championships as junior Matt Molinaro (Sterling Heights, Mich./DeLaSalle) competes in the preliminaries of the 800-meter run.