SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Eric Avila (Chula Vista, Calif./Bonita Vista) proved himself again Thursday at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships. The Southern Oregon University graduate's reward is a spot in Saturday's national 1,500-meter finals.

Racing in the faster of two semifinals at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium, Avila placed eighth in his heat and eighth of 28 overall with a time of 3 minutes, 43.58 seconds. The top four in each heat, along with the next four fastest times, got through to Saturday's title race, which will take place at 2:14 p.m.

Leonel Manzano, representing Hoka One One, finished in 3:42.01 to win the heat with the top qualifying mark.

Avila beat out Oklahoma State's Chad Noelle (3:44.27) for the last at-large spot in the final.

Avila's personal best in the 1,500-meter race stands at 3:42.18, which he established at this year's Cascade Conference Championships.

Complete List of Qualifiers:

1. Leonel Manzano (Hoka One One), 3:42.01

2. Lopez Lomong (Nike/Bowerman Track Club), 3:42.32

3. William Leer (Nike), 3:42.17

4. Matthew Hillenbrand (Kentucky), 3:42.72

5. Liam Boylan-Pett (New Jersey New York Track Club), 3:42.85

6. Riley Masters (Brooks), 3:43.02

7. Dorian Ulrey (Nike), 3:43.12

8. Eric Avila (Chula Vista, Calif./Bonita Vista) (Southern Oregon University), 3:43.58

11. Pat Casey (Oregon TC Elite), 3:44.41

12. Ford Palmer (New Jersey New York Track Club), 3:44.73

13. Garrett Heath (Brooks), 3:44.98

14. AJ Acosta (Unattached), 3:45.07