MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Alyssa Gulsvig and Aubrey Schoeneman represent the Carthage women's track team in discus during the opening day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships on Thursday afternoon. It was a solid opening day for the Firebirds, as both athletes competed hard to earn top 20 finishes.



Schoeneman's first throw attempt went for 35.68m, good enough for seventh place to open Flight 1. Gulsvig fouled on her opening throw. Gulsvig bounced back in her second attempt, throwing 42.86m and jumping into third place with one throw to go in the preliminary flight. Schoeneman improved on her opening throw with a mark of 37.89m and was in 10th place after the second time through the flight. Gulsvig would finish the flight with a mark of 39.71m, finishing the flight in fifth place. Schoeneman's final throw registered at 40.08m, solidifying a 10th place finish in the flight. Both athletes would not qualify for finals after Flight 2 completed, as Gulsvig finished the day in 15th place, while Schoeneman finished in 20th place.



"We had a solid start to the weekend," said Assistant Coach Greg Raimondi. "Alyssa and Aubrey continued to build and compete each round. They never fully connected on a throw that would have put them into the mix but they looked ready to compete. I am excited to see what they do tomorrow in the shot put."



Schoeneman and Gulsvig will be joined by Mikayla Wright on Friday, May 24 as the trio competes in the shot put at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. Action begins at 3 p.m. cst. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.