MARION, Ind. – The Golden Eagles saw one NAIA All-American performance on a busy first day at the National Championships in Marion, Indiana, as Ashley Verplank finished seventh in the women's pole vault to highlight action. Verplank cleared 3.65m to earn back-to-back All-American honors as she concludes her career as one of the best to ever vault for CU. Cornerstone has a much lighter day tomorrow with just Phoenix Velthouse, Luke Pohl, and Colten Covington competing in their respective prelims. Action begins at 2:15 p.m. at the IWU Track & Field Complex. 
 
Men's Results:
 
400m Hurdles PRELIMS
Carter Sabin opened the men's action in the late afternoon with the 400m hurdle prelims. After a great start he ran out of gas down the stretch finishing with a time of 54.76 to earn 19^th overall among three heats of action. The mark would not advance him to Friday's finals. 
 
10,000m
The men's 10,000m was competitive throughout with multiple lead changes including Luke Pohl leading for a half a lap. Pohl and Colten Covington stuck together for much of the first third of the race. Covington then found himself fall back from the top group while Pohl stayed with them. With about five laps to go the top group separated again and Pohl the NAIA favorite in the event was unable to stay with the top group. He finished with a time of 31:24.16 to fall outside All-American status in 15^th. 
 
Colten Covington finished with a time of 31:48.82 to earn 23^rd overall as he too would not qualify for NAIA All-American status. The two are back in action tomorrow for the 5k prelims for a chance of redemption at the NAIA National Championships. 
 
Women's Results:
 
Pole Vault 
Action opened with the women's pole vault finals that saw both Tatum Townsend and NAIA favorite Ashley Verplank in competition. Townsend jumped in first, clearing the opening height of 3.45m on her first attempt. Townsend then went for 3.55m, and after a pair of scares, she was able to clear on her final attempt. Townsend then passed on the the next two heights allowing action to shift to Verplank. 
 
Ashley Verplank made it look easy in her first attempt at 3.65m clearing well above the bar. She then passed on the 3.70m height before struggling along with many of the other athletes at 3.75m. Verplank's day came to an end after just the one clearance at 3.65m to finish seventh overall and earn her second NAIA Outdoor All-American honor in pole vault. Tatum Townsend finished just outside NAIA All-American honors with a ninth-place finish overall as a junior. 
 
Hammer Throw
Senior Jenna Breuker opened her campaign at the NAIA National Championships in the first flight of the hammer throw as she will also compete in the discus on Friday. After a successful first throw of 47.21m she would fault on her next two to finish sixth in her heat. She would not advance to the finals as she placed 25th overall. 
 
Long Jump
Morgan Vargo was scheduled to compete in the long jump finals, but due to injury was unable to do so. 
 
10,000m
Cammie McConnell joined the massive field of 36 runners to close the first day of action for women in the 10,000m. After the first mile, the pack maintained very close. Separation came over the next two miles with McConnell finding herself between 25^th and 30^th. A strong finish had McConnell earn 23^rd overall with a time of 38:19.87. 
 
Track & Field Contact: Jesse Campbell 
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