JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Union College sprinters Johnnie Nabors and Andre Thornton achieved NAIA National Qualifying “B” marks in the 60-meter dash on the opening day of the Niswonger Invitational Friday. The invitational is at East Tennessee State University's Memorial Center.

Nabors, a 2007 NAIA All American from Lawrenceville, Ga., used a time of 6.95 seconds in his preliminary race to qualify for Saturday’s final at 4:55 p.m. to go with the national mark. Thornton (Lawrenceville, Ga.) followed behind with a 7.01 in the event to finish 17th.

Thornton just missed another “B” mark in the 200-meter dash. His time of 22.41 was just over the required time. He also finished second in his heat and 23rd overall in the event. Nabors trailed him with a 22.58. Freshman Erick Coleman (Chicago, Ill.) ran a 23.58in his first collegiate 200-meter dash.

The first event for Union Friday was the 60-meter hurdles with Scotty Barnes (Ewing, Va.) He raced in the opening heat and finished with a time of 11.04 seconds. Barnes was not among the Top-12 that advanced to the collegiate finals to be run on Saturday. He also posted a time of 7.33 in the 60-meter dash.

Saturday's competition is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.

To view up to date results, click here