GENEVA, Ohio - The Nebraska Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field teams concluded their season at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Geneva, Ohio, with eight student-athletes competing at the SPIRE Institute. The Prairie Wolves returned to Lincoln with one national champion and five All-American honors.
How It Happened
Avery Decker made history on day one of competition, capturing the national championship in the women's javelin throw with a record-breaking performance that left no doubt about the outcome. Her opening throw of 48.70 meters sailed 25 feet beyond the competition, establishing a new school record, American Rivers Conference record, and the sixth-longest throw in Division III history.
The mark also ranks as the 10th-farthest throw ever recorded at the NCAA National Championship meet. Decker, who entered the competition as the top seed, delivered when it mattered most after three previous seasons of near-misses, finishing seventh, third, and second in her prior national championship appearances.
The dominance of Decker's performance became clear as competitors struggled to reach the 42-meter mark throughout the remainder of the competition on a wet day.
In the women's discus, Kaelyn Means secured 2nd Team All-American honors with a 15th-place finish. Her throw of 39.69 meters (130-2) marked a solid conclusion to her first championship experience in the throwing circle.
Emmilly Berglund joined her teammate as a 2nd Team All-American, placing 16th in the women's shot put. Berglund's performance capped a strong season in the circle for the Prairie Wolves women's throwing corps.
The men's contingent delivered breakthrough performances across multiple events. Freshman Sam Clements announced his arrival on the national stage with a massive 17.14-meter throw in the shot put preliminaries that established both the NWU freshman record and the second-best mark in school history.
Clements was passed by two competitors on their final attempts, settling for 2nd Team All-American honors as the top freshman in the country. His performance signals the beginning of what could be a record-setting career in the shot put circle.
Eli Mackowski earned 2nd Team All-American recognition in the high jump, adding another accolade to a career that includes multiple All-American honors and a national runner-up finish. Mackowski ranks among the best high jumpers in program history and concluded his NWU career with his signature consistency at the national level.
Colin Wojtkiewicz wrapped up the championships earning another second team All-American in the men's hammer throw, with a toss of 56.02 meters.
Anna Lundahl and Aliah Clarke also earned valuable nationals experience as they round out their NWU throwing careers.
The championship performance caps a season that saw Nebraska Wesleyan establish itself as a power in Division III track and field.
