JACKSONVILLE, Florida—The Speed Demons came to Florida with the goal of making it to nationals.

For Maygan Shaw and Sanaria Butler, they moved one step closer to that goal Thursday on the second day of the NCAA East prelims.

The pair of Northwestern State speedsters each reached the quarterfinals in the 400-meters, as Butler finished ninth out of 48 and Shaw 19^th. The top 24 advance to the quarterfinals Saturday, with the top 12 advancing from there to nationals in Austin.

"It was a great day for the women," head coach Mike Heimerman said. "Sanaria and Maygan ran extremely well and it sets them up very well for Saturday's quarterfinals."

Butler, a freshman from Port Arthur, Texas, won the fifth heat of the prelims, coming from way behind in the straightaway to overtake both Charlotte's Maya Singletary and Central Florida's Latasha Smith to come away with the victory in the photo finish, running a 52.80.

Shaw finished fourth in heat three with a time of 53.43, behind two athletes who finished in the top five in the event, including Florida's Talitha Diggs, who won the event prelims.

The top three in each heat make the quarterfinals and the next six fastest times after that.

"Both ladies showed up this morning with great energy and positive vibes," sprints coach Adam Pennington said. "These two ladies have worked extremely hard beside each other to this season and today showed. Times aren't really a factor at a meet like this. It's all about surviving to the next round. And both ladies did that today. I'm excited to see what Saturday brings."

Vanessa Balde, one of NSU's outstanding freshmen, began the day for the Lady Demons, running a 13.60 in the 100-meter hurdles in her first race in regionals, placing 37^th, finishing outside the top 24 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Sian Weller, another one of the fantastic freshmen, placed 42^nd in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.78, nearly matching her time at the Southland Conference championships.

"Sian is one of a kind," Pennington said. "This kid has such a bright future. She hit a few hurdles today that threw her rhythm off, but as always, competed with her heart. The 400-meter hurdles record won't stand for long."

Balde and Weller have another chance to advance to nationals, as they, along with Balde and Shaw, are members of the 4x400 relay team that concludes the entire meet at 7:45 Saturday evening.

The last time the quartet ran the event, they posted a season-best 3:35.77 to take home the gold at the Southland Conference championships.

In the 100-meter dash, Lynell Washington ran an 11.57 to place 42^nd.

"Lynell did well with not training much this outdoor season due to injury," Heimerman said. "Lynell only started training a week and a half before conference so to do what she has done in this past month is phenomenal. It was a very good day today."

The women wrap up their time in Jacksonville on Saturday with the 400-meter dash and 4x400 relay. The top 12 in all events go to nationals in Austin.

NSU finishes the men's portion of the regionals Friday with the discus, high jump and both relays.