Akers’ All-American Throw Leads EOU in Day 1 of NAIA Championships 5/24/2018 7:23:01 PM GULF SHORES, Ala. – In her second to last throw of the event, freshman javelin thrower Makayla Akers hit a mark of 41.93 meters to jump to sixth place and claim her first All-American award at the 2018 Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday. Akers advanced to the finals with a long throw of 38.63 meters, which ranked seventh among 26 competitors. The freshman increased her top distance on the fourth throw at 38.95 meters before reaching her top distance of 41.93 meters on the fifth toss. The men’s 4x400-meter relay team of freshman Michael Slagowski, junior Alex Navarro and sophomores Dustin Zimmerly and Thomas Morrell III advanced to the finals and secured All-American status after winning the second of three heats in the event. The quartet finished the reace in 7 minutes, 37.25 seconds and rank seventh heading into finals, which will be held on Friday at 3:50 p.m. Central time. Senior Rachel Roelle also easily qualified for the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Roelle cruised across the finish line in a time of 11:03.49 to place third in her heat and fourth overall. The senior finished less than a second behind the leader heading into the finals on Saturday at 11 a.m. Central time. Senior Max Fahlgren capped off his collegiate career with an 18th place finish in the men’s hammer throw. Fahlgren had a long throw of 49.52 meters in his second attempt. Fellow senior Matthew Kirkendall just missed out on the finals in the men’s 400-meter hurdles with an 11th place finish. The senior crossed the finish line in 53.97 seconds, less than six tenths behind the eighth place finisher. Kirkendall will compete on Friday, however, in the 110-meter hurdle race at 11:45 a.m. Central time. In his first national championship, freshman Dawson Kennon battled to a 15th place finish in the men’s javelin throw. Kennon had his longest throw on the third toss, reaching a distance of 54.27 meters. Fellow freshman Ebony Wilson took 27th place in the women’s long jump. The freshman had a top distance of 5.12 meters on her second jump. Wilson was also a part of the women’s 4x100-meter relay team that placed 25th. Wilson combined with junior Kinnah Rhodes, sophomore Payton Jolley and freshman Carissa Bottensek to finish in a time of 48.91 seconds. The Mountaineers continue competition on Friday for Day 2 of the NAIA Championships. Friday’s Schedule: Matthew Kirkendall – Men’s 110 Hurdles at 11:45 a.m. Central time Men’s 4x800-Meter Finals at 3:50 p.m. Central time Alex Navarro & Lane Inwards - 5,000 Meters at 5 p.m. Central time Men’s 4x400-Meter Prelim at 6:15 p.m. Central time For more information on Eastern Oregon track and field, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com. FOLLOW EOU ATHLETICS Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu