FHSU Athletics
EMPORIA, Kan. - Three competitors representing the Fort Hays State men's and women's track and field team were in action on day two of the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships Friday (May 24), with one lifting an All-America trophy.
Grand Bradley earned his second All-America trophy of the season in the 3,000m steeplechase, placing eighth with a personal-best time of 8:51.13. Bradley improved his DII program record in the process, shaving more than two seconds off his previous best and closing within three seconds of John Mason's historic school record. The junior sat in 10th through the first 1.5 laps before climbing into the top eight and All-America territory, where he would remain for the rest of the race. He picked up his first All-America honor as a part of the indoor distance medley relay that placed sixth earlier this season.
Taylor Savolt completed the final three events of the heptathlon Friday morning, finishing 14th with a total score of 5,061. The senior opened the day with top long jump of 17-11.75, netting 694 points. She added 591 points with a top heave of 118-1 in the javelin before running the 800m in 2:24.47, tacking on another 764 points to her total.
Competing at the national meet for a third time in his career, Dayton Williams was one of four competitors unable to clear the initial bar of 6-8. In addition to collecting the DII era indoor school record of 6-11.5 earlier this season, Williams finishes his career as one of just two Tigers in DII history to clear the seven-foot mark outdoors, surpassing 7-0.25 at the 2024 MIAA Championships.
Three more Tigers will join the competition on Saturday, including Jac0b Clark in the pole vault (12:30 p.m.) and Rhyann Brown and Addie Berens in the javelin throw (1:30 p.m.). Savolt will round out the weekend with the finals of the 400m hurdles at 4:20 p.m.