Ohio Northern senior Dan Smith qualified for the finals in the 1,500-meter run on the first day of the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships Thursday afternoon at Burn Stadium.

Smith finished fifth out of 10 in his heat with a time of 3:52.87.

He was the ninth-fastest in the two qualifying races, as 12 of the 20 runners qualified for the finals Saturday at 4:30 pm (7:30 pm EST).

"It was a good race and I'm into the finals, which was my only goal," Smith said. "It was a slow heat and I expect the finals to be the same way. I felt good and I am excited about the finals on Saturday.

The top eight in each event earn All-America honors.