BOSTON, Mass. – Bentley University's Ryan Orr (Stonington, Conn./Stonington HS) and sophomore Caitlin Burmester (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Dublin HS) each qualified for Friday's finals in the 800 meters during the New England Championships Thursday at The Track at New Balance.

Both student-athletes finished sixth among 28 runners, established new career bests and moved to number five on the Northeast-10 Conference performance list.

Orr finished in 1:55.89, bettering his previous best by 1.87 seconds, and Burmester posted a 2:20.13, a PR by 2.11 seconds. It also elevated her to eighth on Bentley's all-time list in the event.

Additional Bentley highlights on Thursday came from sophomore Alex Lawes (Brick, N.J./Brick Township HS) and senior Hannah Greene (Weston, Conn./Weston HS). Lawes was 13th in the 500 meters (1:08.13) and Greene was 14^th in the high jump (5'1").

The New Englands will continue Friday. Bentley will also compete in the Plymouth State Panther II Invitational on Saturday.