Kearney, Neb. – True freshman Madison Smith earned All-American honors in the discus Friday afternoon in Pueblo, Colo.

The NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships began Thursday and run until Saturday night; live results and live video are available. 

Smith (Gothenburg) is a rare first-year Loper All-American as she came in ninth (154-9) to earn second-team accolades. She is UNK's first-ever D2 discus All-American with several other having reached the national meet in the event but not placing high enough. Back in 1987, Kearney State College had two NAIA All-Americans in the discus in Beth Stuart (national champ) and Tina Reichert (fifth). 

Coming into the meet ranked seventh overall (164-9), Smith's first two attempts today were a foul and a 147-1 effort. To earn AA honors and to reach finals, she needed a big third throw and did that with a 154-9. Her final three attempts ranged from 138-1 to 148-9.

Grand Valley State (Mich.) placed first and second with the MIAA member Missouri Southern State fourth and fifth. Finally, the national champ had a toss of 213-5 with the eighth-place finisher, Jada Sewell of West Texas A&M, recording a top heave of 157-3. Places one through eight are good for first-team AA honors.

On Saturday, Kansas junior Kenyon Forest (javelin/3:45 p.m. Central) and Hastings sophomore Nolan Studley (high jump/5:45 p.m. Central) finish up the meet for the Lopers.