Larson lands All-American honors at Indoor Track & Field Championships

GRINNELL, IOWA – Junior Nicole Larson headed into the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships knowing if she was close to her season-best effort, she would likely become the Falcons first All-American in Track & Field since the 2010 season. Larson did just that Friday, clearing 3.80 meters, good for a fifth-place finish and All-American honors.

Larson (Milwaukee, Wis.) becomes the Falcons first All-American in Track & Field since Brock Solveson in the 2010 season. Solveson was an All-American in both the indoor and outdoor season, including being the national champion in the javelin throw that season.

Larson had an impressive indoor season in the pole vault since the moment she started competing back in December. Friday was the first time Larson did not win the pole vault event at a meet she competed at, and she also broke the school and NACC records this season (3.90 meters), as well as the Carthage College Indoor Facility record.

In order to qualify as an All-American, an athlete must finish in the top eight of their event at the national championships. Cimran Virdi of MIT won the event, clearing 4.13 meters.

Also competing on Friday at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships was senior Ariel Kinlow in the 60-meter dash. Kinlow finished 12th in the prelims, meaning she did not qualify for Saturday's finals. Still it was a strong indoor season for Kinlow, who holds NACC and School records in the 60-meter dash, as well as school marks in the 55 and 200 in her only indoor season with the Falcons.

On Saturday, junior Tyler White of the Men's Track & Field team will be competing in the triple jump for the Falcons. Stay tuned to CUWFalcons.com for updates on White's efforts at the meet.

Live Results of Day one of the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships can be found here.