GULF SHORES, Ala. (VCSUVikings.com)– Valley City State University freshman Kyle Odegard set a new school record and earned All-American honors in the men’s javelin Thursday at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

Odegard, a native of Lisbon, N.D., placed 7th at nationals with his school-record throw of 61.45 meters (201 feet, 7 inches) on Thursday evening. That topped his previous best by almost two meters and broke the old school record of 59.98 meters set by Darin Spenst in 1989. It is the 24th school record broken this year by the VCSU track and field program.

The top eight finishers in each event at nationals are named All-Americans. Odegard is the first VCSU men’s track and field athlete to earn the honor since 2013. Odegard unleashed his top throw in the finals on his fifth attempt of the day. Hunter Drops of Oregon Tech won the event with a mark of 65.40 meters.

Odegard was one of three Vikings competing at nationals during Thursday’s opening day of competition. Teammate Garret Roemmich also participated in the men’s javelin, upping his seed by nine spots as he finished in 16th place. Roemmich had a top throw of 53.73 meters (176 feet, 3 inches).

In women’s long jump, VCSU’s Megan Johnson placed 19th with her top mark of 5.43 meters (17 feet, 9.75 inches). It was her best performance in the long jump in three national meet appearances during her career. Johnson will also compete in the triple jump on Friday.

VCSU’s Sayge McKrill and Mackenzie Huber are also slated to compete Saturday in the women’s discus competition.