Concordia's Sharayah Kenady won the NAIA national title in the hammer throw on Thursday.
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MARION, Ind.—Backing up her No. 1 ranking in the women’s hammer throw, Concordia junior Sharayah Kenady (Salem, Ore.) claimed the national championship while six others earned All-American accolades on the opening day of competition at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships hosted by Indiana Wesleyan.
In the first event of the day, Kenady unleashed a 188-9 (57.54m) to defeat the 21-athlete field to earn the school’s first title in the women’s hammer. The championship is also the 17th individual indoor or outdoor crown earned by the Concordia track program since its inception in 2006.
In the men’s hammer, Bo Johnson earned his second career All-American honor with a fourth-place result after a throw of 189-11 (57.88m).
Four of the Cavaliers five remaining All-American honorees occurred in the javelin. Aria Nojima, the national runner-up a year ago, placed fifth despite battling illness throughout the past few days.
On the men’s side, Jesse Staub closed out his collegiate career with his third straight third-place result after hoisting a national title as a freshman. Staub recorded a 209-7 (63.89m) on his second attempt of the day en route to his fourth straight All-American decoration. Eric Whalen, the national leader in the shot put, placed fourth with a 209-0 (63.70m) and Tim Wyland took seventh with a 204-5 (62.30m) to give the Cavs 13 points in the event.
Concordia’s final All-American came in the concluding event of the day as Emily Painter placed eighth overall with a 37:35.87 in the 10,000-meter run.
On the track, NyEma Sims advanced in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. With an 11.91, Sims cracked her own school record while posting the top preliminary time in the 100 while her wind-damaged 200 time of 24.89 held up as the third fastest of the day.
In the 800, Cory Pena and Jasen Brown advanced to Friday’s semifinals as both runners crossed in third place in their respective heat to safely continue. Pena finished with a 1:55.52 and Brown a 1:54.74.
Jordan Reeher, a true freshman ranked fifth entering the meet, ran a 53.85 to win the second heat of the 400-meter hurdles to move on to the next round.
NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Ind.
May 24-26
All-Americans
1st, Sharayah Kenady, hammer
3rd, Jesse Staub, javelin
4th, Eric Whalen, javelin
5th, Aria Nojima, javelin
6th, Bo Johnson, hammer
7th, Tim Wyland, javelin
8th, Emily Painter, 10,000
School Records
NyEma Sims, 100, 11.91 (former mark of 11.93 set by Sims in 2012)
Concordia Women's Results
100 (prelims): 1. NyEma Sims, 11.91. 200 (prelims): 4. NyEma Sims, 24.89. 10,000: 8. Emily Painter, 37:35.87. Hammer: 1. Sharayah Kenady, 188-9 (57.54m); 17. Gabriella Dixson, 148-3 (45.20m). Javelin: 5. Aria Nojima, 145-0 (44.21m).
Concordia Men's Results
800 (prelims): 8. Cory Pena, 1:54.52; 9. Jasen Brown, 1:54.74. 400 Hurdes (prelims): 4. Jordan Reeher, 53.85; 28. James Ratliff, 1:08.99. Hammer: 6. Bo Johnson, 189-11 (57.88m); 10. Matthew Webster, 181-0 (55.18m); 14. Anthony Lantz, 175-0 (53.35m); 16. Adam Riddle, 173-9 (52.97m); 22. Nate Moses, 160-1 (48.80m). Javelin: 3. Jesse Staub, 209-7 (63.89m); 4. Eric Whalen, 209-0 (63.70m); 7. Tim Wyland, 204-5 (62.30m).