Dickinson (VCSU Mark Potts) – Valley City State junior Megan Johnson set a new school record and punched her ticket to nationals on Friday as the Valley City State track & field team competed at the Dickinson State Blue Hawk Games.

Johnson recorded a leap of 5.57 meters (18 feet, 3.25 inches) in the women’s long jump, breaking the old VCSU record set by Danielle Olson (5.47 meters/17 feet, 11.5 inches) in 1998. Johnson’s mark also meets the NAIA National Qualifying ‘B’ Standard, earning her a spot at the NAIA National Championships in May.

Johnson is the third Viking to qualify for nationals, joining Seri Geisler (women’s shot put, javelin) and Mackenzie Huber (women’s shot put).

Johnson placed third in both the long jump and triple jump on Friday, finishing behind only a pair of jumpers from the University of Mary. Those were two of 13 Top 5 finishes the Vikings had on the day.