Sutton Wins Weight Throw Title; Women in Third at Nationals

Doane Women's Track and Field remains in contention for the NAIA National Championship after another day of crowning an individual national champion. The Tigers will head into the final day of action on Saturday sitting in third place with 23 points, trailing Cumblerands with 37 points and Siena Heights with 29 points.

Madison Sutton (Sr./Lexington, Neb.) started her collegiate career at Doane before pursuing a different path but her career has come full circle as she is back with the Tigers for her senior year. The bright future that many saw that first year came to fruition on Friday as she won a national championship in the weight throw with a school record mark of 19.40m. 

She led throughout after launching an initial throw of 18.82m. Only one competitor's throw would surpass the initial mark but by the time that throw was accomplished, she had two better marks including the winning tally which came in her fifth attempt. Sutton broke the school record earlier this year at the Concordia Invite before resetting it today with a distance of 63-07.75, eight and a half inches further.

Sutton was joined on the podium by Mia Knigge (Jr./Fremont, Neb.) as she hit a personal best throw of 17.44m (57-02.75) to place eighth. She hit the throw on her first attempt of the day while competing in the first flight. Knigge had to wait out the second flight before advancing to finals. Kaylie Lotspeich (So./Imperial, Neb.) placed 11th for the Tigers with a throw of 16.26m (53-04.25).

Katelynn Kratz (Fr./Atkinson, Neb.) tied for 13th in the high jump with a mark of 1.60m (5-03.00). Josie Garrett (Jr./Columbus, Neb.) was among 11 competitors to miss on the opening height.

On the track, several prelim races took place with the Top 8 advancing to the finals scheduled for Saturday. Neryah Hekl (So./Lincoln, Neb.) broke her school record in the 60m dash with a time of 7.44, the third-fastest time on the day. She posted a time of 7.58 two weeks ago at the GPAC Championships. 

Katie Vogt (Jr./Pierce, Neb.) posted the fifth-fastest tie in the 400m as she was clocked in 55.74. Her time is the second-fastest in program history. Danie Parriott (Jr./Murray, Neb.) posted the second-best time in the 600m run with a time of 1:33.41. Garrett placed 19th in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.89. 

On Saturday, Doane will have athletes competing in the triple jump, shot put, 60m, 400m, 600m, and 4x400m relay.

Action at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center in Gainesville, Fla., will begin at 11:30 AM (CST).