CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Bradley women's track and field team is sixth after the first day of competition at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship Saturday. 

Sophomore Sarah McMahon (Colfax, Wis./Colfax) finished fourth in the 3,000 meters and fellow sophomore Kyela Specht (Munster, Ind./Munster) advanced to the finals of Sunday's 800 meters, to help highlight the first day of action for the Braves at the MVC Indoor Championship.

Specht won her heat in the 800 meters and clocked the fifth fastest career-best time in school history in the 800 meters with a time of 2:13.76.  Her time was the second fastest qualifying time in the 800 meter semifinals as she advanced to Sunday's finals.

"Kyela (Specht) had a huge breakthrough race tonight," head coach Marc Burns said.  "She raced aggressively and was awarded by making the finals. (Sarah) McMahon ran her heart out to finish fourth in the 3,000 meters. The first two got away early and she led the chase pack and was able to drop all but one girl.  She is fired up to go after the top three tomorrow in the 5,000 meters.   We had a solid first day and we are looking for some more big efforts on Sunday."

McMahon earned five points for the Braves, placing fourth in the 3,000 meters with a time of 9:48.46, missing her career-best time by five seconds.  

Bradley finished fifth in the distance medley relay, clocking the seventh fastest time in program history at 12;06.20 to earn four points for the Braves.

Freshman Elizabeth Dutcher (Williamston, Mich./Williamston) helped highlight the opening day of competition for the Braves, turning in the best effort by a Bradley student-athlete in the long jump since 1984.  Her leap of 5.16 meters (16-11.25) ranks four among Bradley career-best marks.

Bradley closes out competition at the MVC Indoor Championships beginning Sunday  at 1:45 p.m.