Kearney, Neb. – McCook senior Tiara Schmidt earned her fourth All-American honor by finishing sixth in the weight throw Thursday evening at the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships in Alabama. 

The three-day meet began today at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The rest of UNK's contingent – high jumper Brayden Sorensen (Kearney) and distance runners Wes Ferguson (Fremont) and Seth Simonson (Hastings) – competes on Friday. 

Schmidt's first toss went 60-10.75 and allowed her to compete in the finals. Her next two throws didn't yield a mark and she went into the finals ranked seventh. After a foul, Schmidt managed an effort of 62-2.50 which briefly moved into fifth. She came into the meet ranked sixth thanks to a school-record of 63-1.50 which was set this past January. 

Last year Schmidt earned AA honors in both shot put and weight throw while earning second-team accolades in 2019 during the outdoor season (11th place/shot). She joins distance runner Marissa Bongers, high jumper Lesley Crutcher and thrower Amber Tiedeman as four-time Loper women All-Americans. 

Minnesota State senior Katie Taylor had a massive last throw – 69-5.50 – to win the national title and edge Wayne State junior McKenzie Scheil (66-1.50). Scheil's top throw came on her first attempt and she led all the way into the final round.

Just ahead of Schmidt were Judith Essemiah of Grand Valley State, Mich. (64-10.5), MSU's Brea Perron (64-1.25) and Carrol Pauley of Ashland, Ohio (62-8.75).