KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The NAIA is pleased to announce the official rosters and entry lists for all qualifiers for the 2023 Women's Outdoor Track and Field National Championship.
Approximately 625 student-athletes have qualified to compete at the 2023 NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Championship.
Marian has 10 women qualified for the NAIA Championships, who will compete in 10 events.
Erin Oleksak leads Marian with the busiest schedule, as she will run in the 100m hurdles while also competing in the high jump and long jump. Oleksak will be listed on Marian's 4x100m relay squad, and will be listed as one of five Knights that can run on the team's 4x400m relay. Oleksak was Marian's top-point scorer at the Crossroads League Championships, and will look to win one final NAIA National Championship title, having won two indoor national titles in her career in the pentathlon.
Arriana Benjamin will be busy as well, as the senior thrower will compete in each of the shot put, discus, and hammer events. Benjamin is the reigning NAIA National Champion in the shot put.
Jai-Lyn Norwood and Naomi Walters will both compete in the triple jump, as the defending NAIA National Champions from 2021 and 2022 are both in the field looking for a second national title. Norwood will also be entered as a member of Marian's 4x100m relay team, with Giorgia Mameli, MaKayla Melvin, and Hanna Reuter joining Oleksak and Norwood as the entries for the relay. Mameli, Melvin, Reuter, Oleksak, and Taylor Thomas will make up Marian's 4x400m relay team.
Marian's final competitors at the NAIA Championships are making their NAIA debut, with Gina Butz competing in the high jump, while Ali Ray will run the 10000m race.
The NAIA Championships will begin on Wednesday, May 24 at Indiana Wesleyan, with the Wildcats hosting the national championship. Marian's first event of the week will be the 4x100m relay, taking place at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
To view the full qualifier list, click here.
MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos, and more.