CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Kentucky University sophomore Jeanne Reix Charat's silver medal in the women's 10,000 meters highlighted Day 1 of the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday at O'Brien Field.
 
It was Reix Charat's first-career trip to the podium. The sophomore took the lead at the bell, but Eastern Illinois' Kate Bushue overtook her in the final 200 meters. Reix Charat earned eight points for the women with a time of 37:04.2.
 
Freshman Charles Kipchumba scored points for the men in the 10,000 meters, finishing sixth in a time of 30:58.
 
Three Colonels advanced to the finals of the women's 1,500 meters on Thursday – sophomore Lou Trois (4:43.0), and freshmen Anouk van Gils (4:43.1) and Katy Chapman (4:49.7).
 
The men also sent three through to the finals – juniors Ahmed Jaziri (3:54.0), Joan Tapias (3:54.8) and Jackson Siddall (3:56.6).
 
Both 1,500 meters finals will be contested on Saturday.
 
Sophomore Quantasia Perry and freshman Kayla Smith qualified for the women's 200 meters finals on Thursday.
 
Perry won her heat with a personal-best 23.96, which is fourth all-time at EKU. Smith was second in her heat with a PB of 24.15.
 
The 200 meters finals will also be held on Saturday.
 
Freshman Emma García-Palencia sits in second place after one day of the women's heptathlon (2,955 points). She will go for gold in the event on Friday, with the long jump, javelin, and 800 meters awaiting.
 
Senior Hannah Cook threw a personal-best 153-1 in the hammer on Thursday, finishing 10^th.
 
Day 2 of the OVC Outdoor Championships kicks off around 10:00 a.m. on Friday.