LIVE RESULTS | LIVE STREAM | PHOTOS DAY 1

AUSTIN, Texas – Idaho track and field got started at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships First Round on Thursday, with three athletes competing on the opening day of competition.
 
"I though they came out and represented Idaho well," said director of track and field/cross country Tim Cawley.  "We had three young athletes that grew up and learned a lot today.  I thought they competed great and got the experience they need to hopefully help them in the future, when they're back in this situation, to advance further.  But I thought they did great."
 
Mack Baxter got the Vandals started in the 400-meter hurdles.  The Big Sky Champ ran in a very challenging heat that qualified the most athletes to the next round, taking seventh with a time of 53.22 seconds.  Baxter finished 38^th overall, ahead of his projected finish of 45^th.
 
Rechelle Meade also made her NCAA debut, claiming 32^nd in the long jump with a leap of 5.95 meters.  The freshman isn't done yet, with the high jump competition getting started at 2:30 p.m. Pacific on Friday.
 
"It's just neat to see the young kids, that's what we wanted to see," said Cawley.  "To see Rechelle, she had a lot of pop today we just couldn't quite line it up.  But knowing that she's that fresh she has a really good chance to do something tomorrow in the high jump.  But having all three go out and represent Idaho the way they did was great."
 
Kaizer Gillispie battled through illness to get ready for his heat in the 400-meters, an event he took home the gold in at the Big Sky Championships in Sacramento.  Gillispie would finish at 49.82, taking seventh in his heat.
 
"They were comfortable out there.  It didn't look like their first time at Nationals," Cawley added.  "They went out and they looked the part.  They looked confident, but not overconfident.  You could tell they felt like they belonged, which is the first step.  I'm proud of them."
 
Aside from Meade, both Ben Doucette and Nathan Stark will also be competing on Friday.  Doucette competes in the 110-meter hurdles, with the first heat beginning at 3 p.m. Pacific, while Stark takes on the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 7 p.m. Pacific.  Live results and a live stream will be available at the links provided at the top of the article.  Check back with GoVandals.com following the events for the complete recap and reactions.
 
To stay current on all Vandal Athletics visit GoVandals.com, or follow the Vandals on Twitter, @Idaho_Vandals.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho track and field/cross country by following the team on Twitter @IdahoTrack.