GENEVA – On Saturday, Abbey Calhoun, Alexis Mattox, and Nicole Tarpley of the Carthage women's track & field team competed at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Mattox and Tarpley competed in the hammer throw, placing fifth and 18th. Mattox earned First Team All-American honors in the hammer throw. Calhoun competed and placed seventh in the triple jump, earning First Team All-American honors while also breaking the outdoor triple jump school record. Calhoun previously held the record (12.02m) in which Calhoun set just one week ago (May 14-15) at the Twilight Final Qualifier hosted by Augustana. 
 


Mattox and Tarpley started day three for the Firebirds at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw. Tarpley finished in 18th place with a mark of 47.39 meters. Mattox qualified for the finals with a mark of 55.53 meters. Mattox's furthest throw came from throw three (55.53m), resulting in a fifth place finish and securing All-American honors.

Calhoun finished out the day for the Firebirds in the triple jump. Calhoun qualified for the finals with a mark of 12.01 meters. In the finals, Calhoun jumped 11.73m, 11.67m, and 12.23m. Calhoun's last jump (12.23m) secured seventh place while also breaking the outdoor triple jump school record for the Firebirds. Additionally, Calhoun collected First Team All-American honors with the 12.23m mark. 



"Definitely not our best weekend, but really glad Alexis was able to find a clutch third-round throw to take home All-American honors in 5th place," said assistant coach Greg Raimondi. "Having Nicole and Alexis represent our programs over the last 5/6 years has truly been awesome. While the results on paper at the end of this season didn't highlight what they are capable of, the mark they left on our program is something that will be felt for a while. Both graduate as All-Americans and claim spots on our top 10 lists in the weight and hammer throw. I can't thank either of them enough for the countless hours and dedication they have put into this program and bettering themselves. These two will really be missed and hard to replace."

"Abbey showed yet again that she's the ultimate competitor, always ready for the big moment," said assistant coach Cale Brown. "The competition really picked up in the final three rounds, and Abbey responded by putting out the best jump of her career on her final attempt. It's almost unbelievable to watch that happen. Her growth as a jumper is incredible, but watching her grow as a person is the best part of this whole journey. She's a totally different person now than she was as a freshman, and watching her navigate life's obstacles while also being an elite athlete is the best part of being a coach. We could not have written a better ending to Abbey's career at Carthage. I'm just happy that we all got to watch it happen."

"I am very proud of the six women that competed at the NCAA Championship," said head coach Stephanie Domin. "To compete at this level takes a special athlete. Nicole, Mikayla, Lex, and Abbey capped off a great 4-6 years today. I could not be more proud of the impact they had on our program, they will certainly be missed. Madison and Jackie will return for their senior year, and I am so excited for them to lead our team and to see them continue to compete at this level."