UC Riverside's Brenda Martinez moved one step closer to a national championship Thursday at the NCAA Track & Field Championships, advancing to the final of the 1500 meter run. The national meet is being held at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.

Martinez, who finished second in the 800 in the NCAAs a year ago, advanced to the final of the 1500 after finishing fourth in her heat and eighth overall in 4:18.17.

A few other Big West athletes also were in competition Thursday, including a trio of multi athletes. Cal State Northridge's Robert Robinson wrapped up the first day of the decathlon in 11th with 3,840 points. Meanwhile in the heptathlon, Barbara Nwaba of UC Santa Barbara finished up in 12th place with 5,382 points, while Cal State Northridge's Desirae Gonder wrapped up the multi event in 17th with 5,170 points.

The only other individual in competition was UC Davis' Polly Gnepa in the 110 hurdles. Gnepa was unable to advance to the national championship race after his effort of 14.06 landed him in seventh in his heat.

There was also a relay team in action as CSUN’s 4x400 squad took to the track. The club posted a solid time of 3:42.56, but was unable to advance after finishing eighth in its heat.