PUEBLO, Colo. – Jodian Stewart began the 2025 NCAA Division II outdoor track and field championships for Eastern New Mexico on a strong note. The sophomore jumper took fourth at nationals in the long jump after putting down a 6.29m (20-7.75) mark.

"It's now or never," said Stewart when asked about her thoughts going into the third jump of prelims. She had only hit a mark of 5.80m during her second jump of the competition and was several places away from earning a spot in the finals.

"I went through so much to get here," remarked Stewart. The Black River, Jamaica native was competing in her first national championship just weeks after earning her first conference title in the event.

On her third jump, Stewart impressed the crowds at the Thunderbowl on the campus of Colorado State University, Pueblo. She leapt 6.07m on the attempt to earn a spot in the finals. Going into the final six jumps, Stewart sat in fifth place overall.

She bettered her mark to 6.19m with jump number four and vaulted into fourth for a brief minute before the following jumper, Makayla Watson (Pittsburg State), regained the placing.

Stewart's 6.29m jump came on her fifth attempt and placed her at third overall. Jasmyn Crawford (Concordia University Irvine) bested her mark by 0.01m on her next jump to move Stewart to fourth.

A foul on her final jump kept the Greyhound jumper in fourth and awarded the team five points towards the team competition.

"She comes in and does everything I ask even if it's not fun," said head coach Joshua Harden when asked about Stewart. "I couldn't have asked for a better student-athlete to have this moment with. I am super proud of her."

The effort earns her all-american status – a first in her career.

 "I want to thank everyone who supported me through this journey," said Stewart after the meet. "Special thanks to coach Harden. He had a lot of patience with me."

Two other Greyhounds competed on day one of the championships.

Timothy Frederick ran his final race for Eastern New Mexico. The senior posted a 47.06s time in the 400m to finish fourteenth overall in the field of 22 runners. His time is tied for the third fastest 400m of his collegiate career. Teammate Jamoi Jackson was scheduled to run, but was unable to do so because of an injury.

Sophomore Grizell Scarlett ran the 100m for a second-straight season at outdoor nationals. The Jamaica native ran 11.55s in the short sprint to take seventeenth in the competition.

With day one completed, the Greyhounds will now look forward to day two which will feature Kennedy Ulmer in the discus throw.