BIRMINGHAM – Madison Payne of the Carthage women's track & field team competed at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, on Friday afternoon. Payne opened the championship weekend, competing in the weight throw. 


Competing in the first flight of the event, Payne opened the competition with a throw of 15.75 meters. Payne improved the mark on the second attempt with a throw of 16.50 meters, strengthening position in the field. The third and final attempt of the flight resulted in a scratch, concluding the preliminary series.
Payne finished 14th overall with a top mark of 16.50 meters. The performance earned Payne Second Team All-American honors, marking the second All-American recognition of Payne's career.


"I am proud of how Madison competed today," said assistant coach Greg Raimondi. "She was coming off two strong weeks of competing in the weight throw and I was looking forward to seeing what she could do. Two weeks ago she wasn't even qualified for this meet but she locked in some technical cues that earned her another opportunity to throw. This was the second best meet of her career and one she should be incredibly proud of. Hopefully she carries this positive momentum into tomorrow when she competes in the shot."


Payne will return to action tomorrow, Saturday March 14, at 2 p.m. to compete in the shot put. For more information, visit  athletics.carthage.edu.