EMPORIA, Kan. — The Missouri Southern track and field teams opened competition Thursday at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Francis G. Welch Stadium, earning seven All-American honors and qualifying one athlete for Saturday's finals.

The Lion men were led in the field events by a trio of All-Americans in the long jump as Donovyn Fowler earned First Team All-American honors with a sixth-place finish and a mark of 7.41m (24-3.75), while Chase Querry placed 10th at 7.22m (23-8.25) and Ayden Walton finished 12th at 7.16m (23-6) to collect Second Team All-American recognition.

In the men's hammer throw, Isaiah Waller recorded a personal-best toss of 63.49m (208-3) to finish ninth, earn Second Team All-American honors and move into fourth place in program history. Gabe Ford added another All-American finish with a 14th-place mark of 61.87m (203-0).

On the women's side, Dailynn VanDeren earned First Team All-American honors in the hammer throw with a seventh-place finish at 57.11m (187-4), while Briar Gillum placed 14th at 53.79m (176-5) for Second Team All-American honors. Abby Hobbs also collected Second Team All-American recognition in the pole vault after clearing 3.80m (12-5.5).

Additional standout performances included Phillip Jefferson qualifying for Saturday's finals in the men's 400m hurdles after posting a time of 51.59 seconds in the preliminaries.

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Field Events
Women's Hammer Throw
Dailynn VanDeren – First Team All-American, seventh, 57.11m (187-4)
Briar Gillum – Second Team All-American, 14th, 53.79m (176-5)

Men's Hammer Throw
Isaiah Waller – Second Team All-American, ninth, 63.49m (208-3), PR, fourth in MSSU program history
Gabe Ford – Second Team All-American, 14th, 61.87m (203-0)

Men's Long Jump
Donovyn Fowler – First Team All-American, sixth, 7.41m (24-3.75)
Chase Querry – Second Team All-American, 10th, 7.22m (23-8.25)
Ayden Walton – Second Team All-American, 12th, 7.16m (23-6)

Women's Pole Vault
Abby Hobbs – Second Team All-American, 15th, 3.80m (12-5.5)

Track Events
Men's 400m Hurdles
Phillip Jefferson – 51.59 seconds, qualified for finals on Saturday

Men's Team
14/20 teams competed so far – 3 points through 3 events
Women's Team
15/17 teams competed so far – 2 points through 3 events