MANKATO, Minn. – She got off to a slow start, but by the time the 800-meter preliminaries at the 2012 NCAA Division II Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships were completed Friday evening at Minnesota State-Mankato's Myers Fieldhouse, Bentley University junior All-America Amy Varsell (Burlington, Conn./Lewis S. Mills HS) had punched her ticket to Saturday's finals.

Varsell finished fourth in her heat, and also had the fourth-best qualifying time overall. She finished in 2:12.59 with the time bettered by only Alycia Wright of Saginaw Valley (2:11.06) and two runners from Hillsdale, Amanda Putt (2:11.12) and Jennifer Shaffer (2:12.31).

Varsell, who finished fourth in the 800 at both the indoor and outdoor championships a year ago, was last in her heat for about the first 450 meters before putting on a strong push.  Bentley coach Kevin Curtin estimated she had moved up to fourth with 100 meters still to run.

The championship race will be at 5 pm CT Saturday.