LA CROSSE, Wis. – Cornell's MariKate Murphy (SR/Kirklin, Ind.) extended her collegiate career one more race with a strong effort in Thursday's prelims of the women's 3000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Track & Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.

Murphy, making her NCAA debut on the track, put herself in all-America contention for Saturday's final, which will be contested at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

Murphy clocked the sixth-fastest prelims time, crossing the line in 10:46.89. She was only five seconds behind the top qualifying mark of 10:41.12 by top-seeded Kayla Leland of Whitworth. Murphy competed in the first of two heats, which featured the top six overall times.

The top eight finishers in Saturday's 14-woman final earn all-America honors.

Murphy's prelims race came shortly after teammate Libby Schnoor (SR/Camanche, Iowa) completed a hot opening day in the heptathlon. Schnoor stands 21st through four events with 2,334 points.

Schnoor's day was highlighted by a fifth-place showing in the shot put. The two-time all-American recorded a solid mark of 36-00.25 on her third and final attempt.

Schnoor also fared well in the high jump, clearing 5-00.50 to tie for sixth place. She took 22nd in the 100 hurdles (17.56) and finished the day 22nd in the 200 (29.21).

The Day 1 leader is Redlands' Chyenne Kimble with 2,855 points. Whitworth's Isabel Clark rounds out the top eight with 2,690.

Schnoor looks to gain ground in the 22-woman field with three of her stronger events ahead Friday – the long jump, javelin and 800. The heptathlon resumes at 12:30 p.m.