INDIANAPOLIS (June 22) ­ Seattle Pacific University runner Jessica Pixler received a free pass to Saturday's 1500-meter final at the USA Junior Track & Field Championships.

Following some late scratches, officials opted to go with a final race of 14 competitors, with Pixler (Fr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) owning the top qualifying time. It will be her first action since winning the NCAA Division II championship May 26.

Former Falcon Chris Randolph stands ninth following the first five events of the men's decathlon.

Past world champion and four-time U.S. winner Tom Pappas (4394) owns a 160-point lead over Paul Terek.

Randolph, now an SPU assistant coach competing for Club Northwest, recovered after a slow start in the 100 (11.59), moving up five places in the next four events, and totaling 3871 points. He long-jumped 22 feet, 3½ inches, threw the shot 44-11, high-jumped 6-7½ and finished with a 400 time of 49.40.

The decathlon concludes with the 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500 Saturday.