Eagles Combine For Five All-Americans On Nationals Day 1

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On Friday (March 8) on the first day of the 2019 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships at Pittsburg State (Kan.), Ashland University's weight throwers put in some impressive work, and senior Myles Pringle once again did his best Superman impersonation.

To cap off the day, three Eagle men's weight throwers – sophomore Brent Fairbanks and juniors Nick Zak and Alex Hill – finished 2-3-4 in the country. Fairbanks was the national runner-up at 21.14 meters/69-feet-4¼ for his first All-American honor, Zak took third place for his third All-American award following his final throw of a personal record of 21.06 meters/69-feet-1¼, and Hill took fourth place at 20.75 meters/68-feet-1 for his fifth All-American citation.

Then there was Pringle, who started at the men's high jump, then went to the men's 400-meter prelims, then finished at the high jump. He earned his 15^th All-American honor by placing fourth in the high jump at 2.12 meters/6-feet-11½, while, in the middle of that, winning the 400 prelims in a season-best 46.04 seconds – 0.99 seconds faster than the runner-up.

In the women's weight throw, senior Natalie Helenthal placed fourth for her third All-American honor. Helenthal's top heave was a PR of 20.38 meters/66-feet-10½.

Also in the women's weight, senior Mackenzie Leigh was ninth at 18.86 meters/61-feet-10½, while redshirt freshman Lindsay Baker was 11^th with a PR of 18.60 meters/61-feet-0¼.

Senior Jim Toth was 13^th in the men's weight throw at 19.48 meters/63-feet-11, while sophomore Channing Phillips turned in an indoor PR of 47.65 in the men's 400 prelims.

Ashland's men are leading the team standings with 24 points through six of 17 events, followed by Colorado Mines (17), Grand Valley State (15.25) and Central Missouri (15). Through four of 17 events, Ashland's women's five team points are tied for 10^th.

The second and final day of indoor nationals will be Saturday (March 9) at Pittsburg State. Ashland's athletes competing are listed below.

2019 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY NCAA DIVISION II INDOOR TRACK NATIONALS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

- March 9, 3:30 p.m. – women's shot put (Baker)

- March 9, 4:30 p.m. – women's high jump (junior Ellie Jindra)

- March 9, 7:10 p.m. – men's 400 dash finals (Pringle)

- March 9, 9 p.m. – men's 4x400 relay (Phillips/Pringle/freshman Brayden Chaney/junior Paul Murray)

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