GENEVA, Ohio – Needing a big throw in her final attempt of the second flight of women's discus to make it into the finals at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday, Whitworth's Lauryn Rawls got that - and more.
Rawls, a sophomore from Garfield, Washington, posted a mark of 44.53 meters on her third throw, to break her personal record by two centimeters. That distance, which converts to 146'-1", was enough to finish in fourth place and earn Rawls an NCAA Division III All-America trophy.
Rawls went into the meet seeded 11th, but moved up seven spots to claim All-America recognition. The top eight finishers in any event are NCAA Division III All-Americans. Rawls went into her third, and final, throw of the second flight with a mark of 42.72 meters, which was in 10th place. Only the top nine advance to finals. She hit her PR on that third attempt.
Rawls had three chances to move higher during the finals, but a foul was called on each of her final two throws.
Amelia Hewson will compete for Whitworth in the preliminary heats of the women's 100-meter dash on Thursday morning at 11:10 am (PDT). Hewson will run in the first of three heats. The winner of each heat, plus the next six fastest times will advance to Saturday's final.
