Brookings, S.D. – The Marian women's track and field team completed their run at the NAIA Track and Field National Championships on Saturday evening, coming out of three-day event as the team finished eighth in the NAIA. On the final day, the Knights captured three NAIA All-American honors, as Erin Oleksak finished fifth in both the 60m hurdles and high jump, while Jai-Lyn Norwood finished eighth in the triple jump.
Erin Oleksak shined on the national stage, competing in two events on the final day. Oleksak started her day on the track where she earned her first All-American honor of the day by finishing fifth in the 60m hurdles. Oleksak set a new program record by clocking in a time of 8.49. In the high jump, Oleksak finished in fourth. Oleksak passed the bar on her first attempts at 1.59m and 1.64m. On the next height, competitors started to fall as the height moved up to 1.67m, while Oleksak cleared the height. At 1.70m, the run for the senior came to an end, as she failed to clear the height. The finish gave her the fifth-place spot, earning her third NAIA All-American honor of the weekend.
Marian got another NAIA All-American performance from Jai-Lyn Norwood in the triple jump, as she finished eighth in the event. Norwood started her day with a 12.06m jump before having her best jump of the day with a leap of 12.10m. Norwood's jump not only was a personal best for her, but set a new program record held previously by Norwood at 11.85m.
Competing for Marian in the shot put was Arriana Benjamin, as she finished in 12th. Benjamin threw her best throw of the day on her first attempt, throwing 13.57m to grant her a top-12 spot. Shirmara Anderson also competed in the triple jump with Norwood, but was unable to make it into the finals. Anderson finished 33rd after hitting 10.62m on her only successful jump.
Marian will begin their outdoor season later this month as they move into the next part of the season.
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