Oregon Institute of Technology Athletics

MARION, Ind. – Competing in her final NAIA Women's Outdoor Track and Field National Championship at the Indiana Wesleyan Track Complex, Alex Conley saved her best effort for last. The 3-time javelin national runner-up unleashed a season-best mark in her final preliminary throw, with the throw holding up against the field in the finals – earning Oregon Tech their second individual national title in program history.
 
The senior, from Lakeview, joins Joelle Swanson, who claimed the 2015 NAIA javelin crown, as the only women's individual national champions. Five men's athletes (Tony Grant, Nick Bakke, Bryan Quinn, Bryant Sentman, Hunter Drops) have also won NAIA titles – including three javelin titles (Grant, Bakke, Drops).
 
"Alex was really impressive," said OIT head coach Mike Anderson. "She got to experience one of the hardest feats in all of athletics – going out with a win. I am really happy for her."
 
Throwing in the third of three javelin sections, Conley had the top mark after her first attempt, but watched as Micaiah Scott (46.32 meters / 152 feet) of The Master's and then Mckenzie Clark (46.85 meters / 153 feet, 8 inches) moved past the 4-time Cascade Conference champ. Conley answered in her final preliminary attempt, launching a throw of 47.27 meters (155 feet, 1 inch) – her longest throw in two years – vaulting to the lead. 
 
Conley was not threatened in the finals, as no attempt broke the 46-meter barrier.
 
Three other OIT athletes were in the event, but did not qualify for the finals. Aarika Brooks placed 18th (39.38 meters / 129 feet, 2 inches), Amber Miller took 21st (37.54 meters / 123 feet, 2 inches) and Brittan Bratscher placed 27th (34.88 meters / 114 feet, 5 inches).
 
Also competing today was Ally Odell in the heptathlon, as the junior ended Day 1 in 14th-place with 2,565 points – just off her personal best opening day score.
 
Odell recorded a personal best mark in the shot put (11.40 meters / 37 feet, 4 inches), placing fourth in the event. She cleared 1.49 meters (4 feet, 10.75 inches) in the high jump, while recording times of 15.93 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles and 28.25 seconds in the 200-meters.
 
Tomorrow, Odell closes out competition for the Lady Owls at the meet with the final three events of the heptathlon.