Gulf Shores, AL (VCSU)- Valley City State University sophomore Seri Geisler won her second straight national championship on Thursday, successfully defending her javelin title during the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

Geisler launched a school-record throw of 52.68 meters (172 feet, 10.25 inches) in the finals as she won the event by more than 12 feet, besting a field of 25 throwers.

A native of Grand Rapids, Minn., Geisler entered the the meet with the top throw in the nation at 51.16 meters and delivered on her ranking. The women’s javelin was expected to be a two-person race between Geisler and Bailey Dell (Northwest Christian), and it was just that. Both were in the first flight, allowing them to go throw-for-throw throughout the day.

VCSU’s Megan Johnson finishes 26th in women’s long jump

Valley City State University junior Megan Johnson (Enderlin, N.D.) placed 26th in a large field of women’s long jumpers Thursday at the NAIA Championships.

Johnson entered the event ranked 38th out of 47 jumpers, but improved her ranking by 12 spots in the final standings. Johnson went 5.24 meters in her first attempt. She followed that up with her best mark of the day, a 5.36 meter jump (17 feet, 7 inches) that earned her 26th in the large field.

The winning mark was 5.91 meters in a competitive event. The top five finishers were separated by just two inches.