Pittsburg, Kan., --- The Minnesota State women's track & field team had 12 athletes take part in day one of the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships. Three Mavericks have qualified for the final day of competition. Four Mavericks claimed All-American honors and Makayla Jackson won the National Championship in the long jump
Denisha Cartwright, a sophomore from Nassau Bahamas, finished second in the preliminary round of the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.43, earning herself a shot at the national title as she will compete in the finals of the event tomorrow at 5:10 p.m. CST. Cartwright also qualified for the finals tomorrow in the 60m dash as she qualified sixth in the event with a time of 7.45 which is a new Minnesota State school record. The 60m dash finals are set for 5:30 p.m. CST. Cartwright went on to finish in the 11th spot of the preliminary round of the 200m dash with a time of 24.46.
Makayla Jackson, a sophomore from Milwaukee, Wis., won the National Championship in the long jump for the Mavericks with a leap of 20' 4.25''. With this performance Jackson has set a school record in this event. With the victory Jackson earns All-American honors in the event. This is the first time a Maverick has won the national title in this event. Jackson also took the top spot in the qualifying round of the 60m dash with a career best time of 7.31 and will try for the national title in the event tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. CST. Jackson followed up these performances with a qualifying and career best time of 24.28 in the 200m dash finishing seventh in the first round. Jackson will try for the national title tomorrow in the event at 6:55 p.m. CST.
Kary Petricka, a sophomore from Eau Claire, Wis., finished 12th in the long jump with a distance of 19' earning second team All-American honors.
Taylor Elliott, a senior from Eagle, Idaho, finished 11th in the high jump with a height of 5' 7''.
Sherona Stewart, a senior from St. James, Jamaica, finished 20th in the 400m dash with a time of 57.29.
Ja'Cey Simmonss, a sophomore from Milwaukee, Wis., finished 18th in the 200m dash with a time of 24.92.
Rose Cramer, a sophomore from Milwaukee, Wis., finished 10th in the first round of the 200m dash with a career best time of 24.42.
Brea Perron, a senior from Waukesha, Wis., took home a second-place finish in the weight throw with a distance of 66' 9.75''. This performance was good for All-American honors which is the third time in Perron's career that she has earned this recognition.
Katie Taylor, a senior from Hayward, Wis., finished third in the weight throw for the Mavericks with a distance of 65' 7''. This effort earns Taylor her third All-American honors in this event.
Kaylee Jensen, a senior from Nekoosa, Wis., finished fifth in the weight throw with a toss of 64' 4''. This also Jensen's third time earning All-American honors in this event.
The qualified Mavericks return to action tomorrow as several national championships are on the line. The first event that Minnesota State will be competing in begins at 3:05 p.m. CST, with the triple jump.
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