NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma State men's and women's track and field teams began competition at the 2009 NCAA Midwest Regional Friday, as Merritt Dietz finished fourth in the discus throw for the women and Ryan Vail finished third in the men's 5,000 meters to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Dietz was the first Oklahoma State athlete to qualify, tossing the discus 51.07 meters to earn her spot at the national meet for the first time in her career. Dietz, who owns the school discus throw record of 56.18 meters, did not set a personal record, but was satisfied with her qualifying performance.

"I struggled a little bit today," Dietz said. "I didn't throw my best but I qualified for nationals so I'm pretty happy."

On the men's side, freshman standout German Fernandez cruised to a first-place finish in his preliminary heat of the 1,500 meters by running a 3:50.78. The recently-minted Big 12 Outdoor Outstanding Performer of the Year pulled away from the pack to win comfortably by more than a second. With temperatures in the high-80s, the field ran at a controlled pace early on before Fernandez took over with less than one full lap remaining.

"Our strategy was to rip it out in last 300 meters," Fernandez said. "It was either going to be in the last 600 or the last 300. Dave Smith and I planned it out before hand. I wanted about 39 for the last 300 meters. I feel good for tomorrow and I'm ready to go."

Fernandez will go against New Mexico senior Lee Emanuel, among others, in tomorrow's 1,500 meter finals. Emanuel won the NCAA indoor championship in the mile this season, in part because Fernandez elected not to compete in order to prepare for the World Junior Cross Country Championships. Emanuel owns the second-fastest time in the nation this outdoor season in 1,500 meters with a 3:37.25. Fernandez's personal-best mark in the 1,500 meters is a 3:42.80, making him a decided underdog to Emanuel based on previous results.

Ryan Vail became the first men's athlete to qualify for the NCAA Championships when he finished third in the 5,000 meters with a time of 14:03.88. It is Vail's third consecutive season to qualify for the 5,000 meters national meet. He was honored as an All-American after finishing fifth in the event last year.

Freshman Colby Lowe also ran well in the event, finishing eighth with a time of 14:07.73.

"Vail finished about where we thought he would," coach Dave Smith said.  "We didn't want him to dig too deep, which might cost him down the road. As for Colby, this is a tough race for him to do well in because he needed to sit and kick and he ended up placing even higher than we thought. He's such a tough runner. He's actually in a good position to compete at NCAAs because several runners ahead of him will probably scratch to run the 10k."

OSU's first action on Saturday comes at 12:15 p.m., when Dietz competes in the shot put. Clarissa Andrews and Baiba Blumbaha will suit up for the triple jump at 1 p.m. Fernandez takes the track at 5:30 p.m. for the 1,500 meter finals, with David Chirchir rounding out the Cowboy effort in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at 7:40 p.m.

2009 NCAA Midwest Regional Championships

Oklahoma State Friday Results

Men's 1,500 meter prelims (heat 1)

1 German Fernandez - 3:50.78

Women's Discus Throw

4 Merritt Dietz - 51.07m

21 Courtney Gougler - 43.98m

Women's 5,000 meters

-- Natalia Kovtun - DNF

Men's 5,000 meters

3 Ryan Vail - 14:03.88

8 Colby Lowe - 14:07.73

14 Alejandro Ruiz - 14:30.00

17 Sean Fleming - 14:40.09

20 Matt Barnes-Smith - 14:55.56