SPOKANE, Wash. – Warriors Ali Super (shown left) and Lindsay Szybura both qualified for the outdoor NAIA national championship as the Lewis-Clark State College track and field teams enjoyed a successful day at the Dusty Lane Invitational on Saturday. The invite was the Warriors’ first outdoor meet of the season.
Super, a freshman from West Linn, Ore., set a new school record and easily surpassed the NAIA qualifying standard by throwing the javelin 146-10. Her throw, which is the second longest in the NAIA so far this season, was good enough for first place on Saturday against teams such as Eastern Washington, Central Washington, Whitworth, and host Community College of Spokane.
“The throws coaches, Arlen Olson and Thomas Walker, should take a lot of the credit for Ali’s performance today as they worked hard all fall with conditioning and continued unto the spring,” said LCSC coach Mike Collins. “I think this is a great statement as to where we are trying to take the throws program here at LCSC."
Szybura (shown left), a junior, also qualified for nationals by running the steeplechase in 11:41.01. Her time is the fourth best by any athlete in the NAIA so far this season and was good enough for second overall on Saturday. This is the second consecutive season that Szybura’s has qualified in this event. Other Warriors also had standout performances.
In the 800 meters, Sheree Barbour claimed fourth with a time of 2:28.22, and she was followed by teammates Madison Randal in fifth and Rachael Park in seventh. Randall had a time of 2:28.24, and Park finished in 2:35.32, and in the 1,500, Kelsey Klettke came in fifth with a time of 5:07.21.
Thrower Kirsten Smith put up good numbers in two events. She finished third in the discus with a distance of 119-02, and fourth in the shot put at 37-03.25.
On the men’s side, Eric Tuwei took first in the 5,000 with a time of 15:39.90. He was pushed by teammate Sean Huey who finished at 15:40.94. The next finisher was over seven seconds behind Huey.
In the shot put, Nathan Uhlorn earned fourth with a total of 45-01.75.
The Warrior track and field teams will next compete at the Idaho Cup in Boise, Idaho, on April 3-4.
