University of Montana sophomores Katrina Drennen and Kesslee Payne both finished in the top five in their heats to advance to the regional final in the 1,500 meters Thursday afternoon at the NCAA West Region preliminary round in Austin, Texas.

Drennen ran a non-altitude-adjusted career-best time of 4:23.88 to finish fifth in the third of four heats. Her time broke her own school record of 4:24.23, which she set at the Montana Open in mid April.

Payne ran a career-best 4:24.95 to finish fourth in heat four. Payne’s time would have broken the Montana 1,500-meter record of 4:25.21, set by Sabrina Monro in 1999, had Drennen not beaten her to it.

The top five finishers in each heat advanced to Saturday’s finals, along with the next four fastest times.

Drennen and Payne will compete Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (MT) in the two-heat finals. The top five in each of those heats, plus the next two fastest times, will advance to the NCAA championships, which will be held June 9-12 in Eugene, Ore.

Drennen, who is competing at her second straight NCAA regional meet, and Payne, who’s competing at her first, both got out with the lead pack in their heats and used strong moves in the back half of the race to finish in the top five.

“Things went perfectly for both of them,” UM distance coach Courtney Babcock said. “They ran just the way we laid it out. They got out fast and hung in the back of the lead pack so they’d be able to cover any breaks.

“Katrina ran inside the whole way, which can be a tough place to race, but she stayed relaxed and in control. With about 600 to go she went with the pack and everyone else dropped off.

“Kesslee was in fifth place with a lap to go, but her position was a lot more iffy. She had a pack of girls right on her heels, but she was able to distance herself with maybe 300 to go.

“For Kesslee to go to her first regional and not be intimidated at all was just great.”

“Katrina and Kesslee both did what they need to do today: get to the next round,” UM track and field program director Brian Schweyen said. “Their confidence is as high as it’s ever been. They both believe they can get to Eugene, and that’s right where we want their focus.

“Talking with Kesslee right after the race, she said she thought she should have won her heat. This coming from the same athlete who two months ago would have been shocked to even be here. At this point, I wouldn’t bet anything against her.”

Oregon freshman Jordan Hasay had the fastest time of the day, going 4:20.45. The 24 athletes advancing to Saturday’s two-heat finals all finished in 4:26.14 or better.

Payne came back three hours later to compete in the 800 meters, but she did not advance beyond the preliminary round, finishing in a time of 2:20.25.

She entered the race with a seed time of 2:09.46.

“Kesslee had a great race in the 1,500, but she still wanted to go out and make it a good effort in the 800 because she wanted the school record (of 2:07.94),” Babcock said. “I told her to go out in the first lap and see how she felt.

“Watching some of those other runners come off the line and run that first 200, you sometimes forget what a step up in pure speed it is at this level. Regardless, it’s going to be good experience for her next year.”

Montana was also represented in the men’s javelin Thursday by juniors Richard Brumbaugh and Jason Flemmer and freshman Justin Graff. None of the three advanced to the 16-athlete round of finals.

Brumbaugh, who was making his second straight regional appearance in the javelin, ranked 23rd in the preliminaries with a throw of 205-9. Flemmer, the Big Sky Conference champion two weekends ago, was 33rd at 192-7 and Graff was 43rd at 178-4.

Brumbaugh steadily improved through his three throws, going 179-6, 200-8 and 205-9.

Flemmer, who threw a season-best 219-4 at the Montana Open, had his mark of 192-7 on his first attempt. He fouled on his second throw, then closed out with a 186-8.

Graff had throws of 160-2, 178-4 and 171-8.

Boise State junior Pontus Thomee won the event with a throw of 236-5. The cutoff for the 12th athlete advancing to nationals was 214-11.

“Conditions-wise it was tough today,” Schweyen said about the javelin runway. “The track got so hot that almost everyone was slipping on the pebble surface.

“Everyone had to slow down their approach, which is a real advantage to the guys with big arms. Unfortunately our guys don’t have huge arms. They rely on technique and speed, and that didn’t work today.”

Montana will have just one athlete competing Friday. Freshman Austin Emry will compete in the high jump beginning at 3 p.m. (MT).