Senior discus thrower
Ashley Stephens headlined a weekend of extraordinary efforts by Western State track and field athletes at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships in San Angelo, Texas this past weekend.
Stephens claimed her second ever National Title in the discus throw with an effort of 50.02 meters (164-01 feet) on her first throw of the finals. Stephens entered the competition as the No. 1 thrower in the nation, and more than lived up to the expectations.
The WSC Senior was challenged by two throwers from San Angelo State University. Angelo State was challenging for a team title and had team momentum and crowd support on their side. Cully Dawson of Angelo State was winning the competition until Stephens uncorked a massive 50.02 meter throw in round number four, more than two meters ahead of Dawson's then leading mark. The two Angelo State athletes responded with improvements on their final throws, but the effort's were not enough to catch Stephens.
"Ashley (Stephens) and the two San Angelo State women had battled for the last three national championships in the discus," said Western State Throws Coach Michael Gusbeth. "The crowd was a challenge for sure, but Ashley put it all on the line in the fourth round and went for it and it paid off."
Prior to her victory in the discus, Stephens claimed her first ever All American honor in the hammer throw, finishing seventh with a mark of 54.69 meters (179-05 feet).
Stephens was not the only highlight on the weekend for Western State, as five other WSC athletes took home All American honors.
Senior
Lisa Thomas finished second in the 3,000 meter steeple chase in a time of 10:37.48. Thomas was one of the elite female steeple chaser's all season in NCAA Division II, automatically qualifying for the national championships two months earlier in mid March. Thomas finished ahead of the third place finisher by more than 15 seconds and finishes her career as the third fastest 3,000 meter steeple chaser in Western State history.
Sophomore
Tyler Pennel finished runner up in the 5,000 meters in a time of 14:20.99. The 5,000 meters was comprised of the most highly talented field at the national meet in recent history, having over ten athlete's entered with sub 14 minutes performances during the season. Pennel surged into the lead with 800 meters remaining and attempted to hold off the 2007 National Champion Daniel Kirwa from Harding. Kirwa edged out Pennel over the final 200 meters to win the race, with Pennel finishing an uncontested second.
Fellow Sophomore
Loren Ahonen burst onto the National scene this season in the 3,000 meter steeple chase at the historic Mt. Sac Relay's in Walnut, Calif. Ahonen ran a personal best by almost 20 seconds at Mt Sac and automatically qualified for the National Meet as well as legitimized his chances as a national title contender.
Ahonen finished third during the NCAA Championships in 9:01.92 seconds. With the third place finish, Ahonen claimed his first ever individual All American honor in track and field. Ahonen was the first American finisher behind Reuben Chebon-Mwei of Adams State and Daniel Maina of Abiliene Christian.
The Men's field events resulted in two more All American's for Western State.
Freshman
Oliver Harsanyi was the national runner up in the high jump for the second consecutive national meet. Harsanyi was only bested by 8 time National Champion Joe Kindred of St. Augustine's University. Harsanyi cleared 2.16 meters (7-01 feet) on his first attempt, while Kindred missed his first two attempts at 2.16 meters. Kindred narrowly cleared the bar on his final attempt at 2.16 meters, and won the competition by clearing 2.19 meters (7-2.25 feet) on his first attempt.
Sophomore discus thrower
Ryan Walstrom claimed his first ever All American honor during his first time competing at the NCAA National Championships. Walstrom finished in eighth place with a throw of 47.57 meters (156-01 feet). Walstrom is the school record holder in the discus and enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2009.
The 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships yielded One National Champion and Seven All American Performances for Western State College.
Overall, the Men finished in a tie for tenth place while the women finished in a tie for eleventh place.
Complete NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships Results