EMPORIA, Kan. – Eastern New Mexico women's and men's track and field was represented by three student-athletes at the 2024 NCAA DII outdoor track and field championships.
After three days of competition, one student-athlete was recognized as a first team all-american.
Sophomore
Alex Williams broke his own school record in the javelin. He threw 68.49m (224-8) on his third attempt of prelims. Williams came into his second appearance at the NCAA DII outdoor championships looking to improve from his seventeenth place finish from a year ago.
His first throw of the day helped the sophomore get a feel for the runway and throwing at the championship, however it put him in seventeenth. His second throw went a little further and put him in a position for second team all-american status. However, Williams wanted a chance to become a first team all-american.
He was sitting in eleventh before the throw and his record breaking attempt vaulted him to the finals and gave him a better shot of earning the title – first team all-american.
"This is very amazing knowing how I finished last year and to become a first team all-american this year," commented Williams after the meet. "I thank my teammates and coaches and give thanks to God. When I am under pressure I tend to deliver my best."
With the most pressure on his third throw of the day, the second year Greyhound delivered when it mattered the most.
Williams finished the national competition in sixth. The field included three student-athletes with throws over 74m, including one breaking the Division II javelin record.
"I am proud of his hard work," remarked head coach
Joshua Harden when asked about the sophomore's performance.
Timothy Frederick and
Grizell Scarlett also competed for ENMU in the meet.
Frederick finished the 200m in seventeenth with a 21.32s result. It marked his fourth appearance at an NCAA championship event as a Greyhound.
Scarlett took twenty-fourth in the 100m as she crossed the line in 11.88s. She qualified for the 60m championship during the indoor season and was making her second run at a national meet.
The meet concludes Eastern New Mexico's track and field season. The year proved to be record breaking as the women's program held their best conference meet finish in school history and the men's team boasted four all-region honorees.
