VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Wrapping up a record-setting winter campaign, Christopher Newport track & field standout
Katie Stevens placed 12th in the weight throw on the first day of the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Center on Friday afternoon.
Competing against the finest throwers in the nation, Stevens uncorked a 17.39-meter toss on her second attempt, which placed her 12th in the field. Her 12th-place finish was the top performance by a Captain in the weight throw in school history.
During the competition, Stevens opened the meet with a 16.57-meter launch, which marked the top effort in the opening round of the first flight. Continuing her afternoon, she registered a 17.39-meter distance on her second toss, which marked her top effort of the meet and the third-best throw of her career.
Rounding out her appearance, she unleashed a 16.60-meter heave on her final attempt. Overall, the Cary, North Carolina native placed fourth in her heat and 12th in the entire country.
In the storied history of the Christopher Newport women's track & field program, only three throwers ever topped Stevens' 12th-place showing at the NCAA Championships. Claudia Stanley and Rachael Clark both won national titles in the shot put, while Hannah Shoemaker was a two-time All-American in the same event.
Friday's performance capped off an incredible indoor season for the third-year standout. Stevens established a new school and Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference record in the weight throw after posting a 17.56-meter effort at the South Region Final Qualifier last week. She also swept the league titles in the weight throw and shot put in February while being celebrated as the conference's Field Athlete of the Meet for the second straight year.
Christopher Newport will conclude the indoor season on Saturday when CJ Reeders and Wade Dunkelberger contend for national glory. Reeders will take part in the triple jump beginning at 11 a.m., while Dunkelberger will compete in the high jump at 3 p.m.
---ISH---
