ROCHESTER, N.Y. -  Wellesley College track & field first year Ella Whinney (Madison, Wis.) finished third in her preliminary heat to advance to the 3000 meter steeplechase finals at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday night at Polisseni Track and Field Complex.

Whinney set a new season best with a time of 10:41.39, finishing only .3 seconds off of Wellesley's program record and with the eighth fastest time in qualifying.

Whinney will now compete in the 3000 meter steeplechase finals on Saturday at 12:45 PM. The finals will consist of the top four runners from each of the two heats and the next four fastest times from Thursday's preliminary heats.