EMPORIA, KANSAS – The University of Alaska Anchorage opened the NCAA Div. II Outdoor Track & Field Championships with four personal-bests and one All-American honor.
Anders Larsen is currently in third place in the decathlon at the end of day one with 3,913 points, 73 points behind leader Leo Chauchard of Pitt State. He opened the day with a personal-best of 10.87 in the 100 (890 points). He long jumped 6.82/22-4.5 (771 points), before throwing a personal-best of 12.86/42-2.25 in the shot put (659 points), a mark that ranks sixth all-time at UAA. He high jumped 1.87/6-1.5 (687 points) and ended the day with a personal-best in the 400 in 48.06 (906 points), the seventh-fastest time in school history. The decathlon will continue with day two action Friday.
"Really great to have the group we do representing UAA at the national meet," said head coach Ryan McWilliams. "Really tough competitions going on out there.
"Anders has put together a great day one, and is ready to make waves on day two. Looking forward to the next two days."
John Peckham ran 8:55.01 in the steeplechase, the third-fastest time in program history, to finish 10th in the prelims. He will compete in the steeplechase final Friday.
"John Peckham was John Peckham," said assistant coach Chas Davis. "Got the job done that needed doing."
Vivien Liessfeld earned All-American honors in the long jump with a leap of 5.82/19-1.25 to finish 12th.
Ryann Smith finished 15th in the 1,500 in a time of 4:29.61.
"Ryann Smith went for it to try to make the final after barely slipping into the meet, said Chas Davis. "Didn't happen today, but she still beat a lot of faster women in the process. Really proud of what she did to be here today."
Jessica Chisar will compete in the prelims of the 800 Friday.
