Track & Field | 3/8/2013 5:26:00 PM

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Western Oregon track and field middle-distance runner Chris Olsen qualified for the finals at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on Friday afternoon, finishing in second-place in his preliminary heat in the 800-meters with a time of 1:52.19.

“Chris (Olsen) ran an absolutely terrific race,” head coach Mike Johnson said. “It was a tough, physical race and he did a tremendous job of fighting his way towards the front after falling back briefly on the final lap. I'm extremely happy for him and he earned his way into the finals.”

Olsen finished second in an extremely close heat as he finished four one-thousandths of a second behind Ayrton Azcue as the runner from Clayton State won the race in a photo finish. The junior nudged Ethan Barnes of Grand Valley State at the line as Barnes finished in third with a time of 1:52.21.

Olsen automatically qualified for the final as one of the top two finishers in his heat as eight advanced to the final on Saturday.

Olsen had the fifth-fastest time on Friday as Drew Windle will enter Saturday's final as the top seed after winning the third heat in a time of 1:50.27.

Olsen will look to obtain All-American honors when he runs in the final on Saturday, March 9, at 3:10 p.m.