GULF SHORES, Ala. – After another weather delay at the beginning of the second day of the NAIA Outdoor National Championships, the sun definitely rose for the Owls as Katie French and Natalie Thomas claimed NAIA All-America honors, set new school records and improved their personal records.
 
French was the runner-up out of 23 athletes competing in the shot put with a 14.19-meter toss. Her mark earned her second NAIA All-America honors for herself. She established a new PR and improved her first-place mark in the William Woods Record Book by 28 centimeters. Arriana Benjamin from Marian (Ind.) won the event by three centimeters. 

“I am beyond blessed and proud of my performance today,” said two-time All-American Katie French. “It was a tough day with the rain and weather delays, but I was able to overcome and perform at my best. I couldn't have done it without my teammates, my family and my coaches supporting me to this point.”

“I am excited to keep competing as an owl next year and continue growing as an athlete,” concluded French.

Thomas finished sixth out of 25 athletes competing in the javelin with a 42.85-meter throw. With her throw, she claimed NAIA All-America honors and hit a new PR by three meters and 45 centimeters. She also moved up one spot and broke the school record by one meter and 90 centimeters. Hailey Kjaer from British Columbia won the event with a throw of 47.65 meters.

Thomas became the first woman in program history and only the second athlete to receive All-American honors in the javelin, and the first since 2018. Darrien Dicky was the only other athlete that earned All-American status in 2018.

Competing in the 3000-meter steeplechase, Ellie Dimond and Harley Nale were unable to qualify for the finals. Dimond finished in 19th place with a time of 11:20.89, while Nale placed 22nd with an 11:33.25 time.
 
French will be competing on the final day of the NAIA Outdoor National Championships tomorrow in the discus at 1 p.m.