TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Drake University freshman Katelyn Williams unleashed a school-record throw in to finish third in the women's hammer throw on the first day of the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship.
 
Williams, who is the first Bulldog to earn a top-three finish in the event, made her record-setting throw on her fourth attempt with a mark of 185-5 (56.51m). That throw bettered her previous best, which was the school record, by more than 10 feet and continued her record-setting freshman season.
 
Her third-place finish was part of a busy day for the throwers in final events as Max Harlan took fourth in the javelin with a throw of 174-10 (53.28m) to score points for the Bulldogs. Joey Harkins also just missed scoring points for the Bulldogs in the men's hammer throw with a personal best of 166-9 (50.84m) to take 11th.
 
On the oval, sophomore Rachel Selva scored in the 10,000 meters with a seventh-place finish in 37:40.09 to close out the day. Earlier in the afternoon, seven Bulldogs advanced out of preliminary heats to championship races on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The men's 200 meters will yield big points for the Bulldogs as three student-athletes, Kundai Maguranyanga, Aobakwe Malau and Victor Peka, all advanced to the final heat. Maguranyanga ran the fastest qualifying time of the day at 20.98 while Malau finished in 21.34 and Peka in 21.49.
 
All three Bulldogs entered in the men's 1,500 meters also advanced with Kevin Kelly leading the way in 3:54.66 for the fastest time of the day. He will be joined by teammates Xavier Lechleitner and Matt Cozine in the final. All three ran in the faster of the two qualifying heats with Lechleitner finishing in 3:55.83 and Cozine in 3:55.85.
 
Tess Misgen also advanced in the women's 1,500 meters with a time of 4:40.33 which was the second fastest time of the day.
 
Competition for the Bulldogs at the MVC Championship resumes Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship
Day 1 - Friday, May 10
Drake Individual Men's Results
200 Meters (Prelims)
1. Kundai Maguranyanga, 20.98
5. Aobakwe Malau, 21.34
6. Victor Peka, 21.49
17. Aaron Chier, 22.10
 
1,500 Meters (Prelims)
1. Kevin Kelly, 3:54.66
9. Xavier Lechleitner, 3:55.83
11. Matt Cozine, 3:55.85
 
10,000 Meters
14. Kyle Cass, 32:23.08
 
Hammer Throw
11. Joey Harkins, 166-9 (50.84m)
 
Javelin
4. Max Harlan, 174-10 (53.28m)
10. Will Tsai, 156-5 (47.69m)
12. Erik Olson, 155-1 (47.28m)
16. Jacob Lewis, 133-11 (40.81m)
 
Drake Individual Women's Results
200 Meters (Prelims)
14. Keaton Kester, 25.12
21. Sophia Jackson, 27.16
26. Mariah Crawford, 27.16
 
1,500 Meters (Prelims)
2. Tess Misgen, 4:40.33
 
10,000 Meters 
7. Rachel Selva, 37:40.09
 
Hammer Throw
3. Katelyn Williams, 185-5 (56.51m)
11. Lexie Chapman, 170-9 (52.04m)
 
Javelin
15. Lexie Chapman, 93-5 (28.47m)