EMPORIA, Kan. - Chloe Lenoir recorded the fastest NJCAA time this year in the 5,000 during the opening day of the ESU Relays here on Friday hosted by Emporia State University.

Lenoir's performance was part of a big day for the Iowa Central men's and women's track team.

Rosalie Fish was the runner-up to Lenoir and joins her as a national qualifier along with Hannah Connell in the women's 200 and Jerome Jessup in the men's 200. Kelvin Bungei also qualified for nationals in the steeplechase.

Lenoir finished in 17:48.48, placing just ahead of Fish, who went 17:49.91. Fish ranks second in the nation with her time. Lenoir ranks eighth in school history and Fish 10th.

Connell now has the third-best time in NJCAA in the 200 and tied for seventh in program history at 23.82. Bungei sits second (9:31.21) and Jessup seventh (21.34).

Nico Paletti cracked the Top-10 all-time at Iowa Central in the pole vault. 

Connell and Bungei won their events, Jessup was third and Bungei fifth.

"Friday was a great way to start off our two-day meet in Emporia," Iowa Central's Dee Brown said. "There was a slight wind but the temperature was perfect. Only a handful of races (on Friday), but the athletes that did compete, performed very well. There was some great energy today that will hopefully aid us during the bulk of the meet Saturday."

Shaunti Longfellow won the 800 (2:27.49), Jonah Garcia the 1500 (4:14.21) and Victoria Adu the hammer throw (55.26m).

Competition concludes here on Saturday.

-By Dana Becker