McMINNVILLE, Ore.  – The 2016 Outdoor Track & Field season started out with a bang this weekend as six Beacons earned NAIA national qualifications at the Linfield Icebreaker.
 
Five distance runners picked up right where they left off after winning the NAIA Cross Country National Championship in the fall. On Friday night, sophomore Rosa Schmidt got things started in the 10k. Taking third place overall, Schmidt was the highest collegiate finisher, running a 36:45.88.
 
Juniors Sierra Brown and Alyssa Harmon were also up to their old tricks. The pair finished 2nd and 3rd and were the top collegians in the 5000m, each earning NAIA qualifying times. They also finished 1-2 in the 1500m run and Brown picked up a provisional qualification time in her victory.
 
Brown wasn't the only victorious Beacon. Michelle Fletcher also won her event, claiming a school record and NAIA national qualifying time in the Steeplechase. Joining her with an "A" standard in the Steeple was first-time national qualifier Macie Gale (pictured), who took second place.
 
The final qualifier came from the throwing ranks as sophomore transfer Bailey Dell made good on her first throw of the season, hitting a 41.20m in the Javelin to qualify for NAIA.
 
Two other school records fell on Saturday as well. Myranda Johnson established a new NCU record in the high jump (1.38m) and Shaneesa Applegate broke a Triple Jump record that had stood for two years (10.60m).
 
In all, 13 women qualified for the CCC Championships as well. Conference qualifiers are indicated with an asterisk below.
 
Complete results: (*CCC Qualifier)
 
100m: Haley Damian (14.03)
200m: Haley Damian (28.54)
800m: *Emily Moon (2:22.33), Macie Gale (2:24.10), Cassie Brownell (2:25.22)
1500m: *Sierra Brown (4:40.10), *Alyssa Harmon (4:47.50), Melissa Rios (5:07.86)
5000m: *Sierra Brown (17:27.42), *Alyssa Harmon (17:30.25), Melissa Rios (19:25.20)
10000m: *Rosa Schmidt (36:45.88), *Natalie Kogutkiewicz (42:00.89)
Steeplechase: *Michelle Fletcher (11:01.11), *Macie Gale (11:17.71)
100m Hurdle: *Shaneesa Applegate (16.00), *Brianna Wood (17.20), *Myranda Johnson (17.28)
400m Hurdle: *Brianna Wood (1:10.73), Myranda Johnson (1:14.86)
4x400m Relay: 4:24.51 (Kelly Willyard, Emily Moon, Sierra Brown, Cassie Brownell)
High Jump: *Myranda Johnson (1.38m)
Long Jump: Madeleine Nelson (4.57m)
Triple Jump: * Shaneesa Applegate (10.60m), * Madeleine Nelson (9.77m)
Javelin: *Bailey Dell (41.20m), * Madeleine Nelson (35.32m)