LA CROSSE, Wis. - The 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships got underway on Thursday with three Spartans competing. Nai'lah Anders got third in the discus throw to earn first-team All-American honors, while Cailey Peterson earned second team All-American honors with a 10th place finish in the women's pole vault. Anthony Carney Jr. qualified for the finals of the 3,000 meter steeplechase tomorrow night.
Nai'lah Anders was the top finisher for the Spartans on day one, earning First Team All-American honors after placing third in the discus throw with a mark of 47.70. To kick off the discus, Anders fouled on her first attempt, but quickly shook it off and recorded a mark on her next five attempts, with her best mark on the third throw. Her third-place finish marked her second consecutive year as a First Team All-American in the discus throw after a sixth place finish in 2025.
In the pole vault, Cailey Peterson cleared 3.85 meters to pick up Second Team All-American honors in her first collegiate season. Starting at 3.60 meters, Peterson cleared the height with no problem before clearing 3.75 meters on her third attempt at the height. Staying in the competition, Peterson then passed 3.85 meters on her first try, which would ultimately be her final height cleared.
Anthony Carney Jr. competed in the preliminaries for the 3000-meter steeplechase, running a 9:00.06, which qualified him for the steeplechase finals tomorrow at 6:10 p.m. Carney Jr. was placed in the first heat of the steeplechase and finished fourth to earn an automatic spot in the finals, posting the ninth-best time of the competing runners.
University of Dubuque Finishes
Pole Vault
10. Cailey Peterson - 3.85m
Discus Throw
3. Nai'lah Anders - 47.70m
3000m Steeplechase
9. Anthony Carney Jr. - 9:00.06 *4th in individual heat
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, May 22
Women's Shot Put - 1:00 p.m. - Chloe Reiser
Women's High Jump - 2:00 p.m. - Jaden Hardison
Men's Shot Put - 3:00 p.m. - Dakota Hoffman
Women's 400 Meter Prelims - 4:50 p.m. - Jaide Flowers
Men's 400 Meter Prelims - 5:05 p.m. - Jaberrius Peake
3000 Meter Steeplechase Final - 6:10 p.m. - Anthony Carney Jr.
Saturday, May 24
Women's Hammer Throw - 11:00 a.m. - Breen Duffy
Women's Javelin Throw - 2:00 p.m. - Ashley Glennon
Men's Hammer Throw - 2:00 p.m. - Lucas Cummings
*If necessary
Women's 400 Meter Final - 2:10 p.m. - Jaide Flowers
Men's 400 Meter Final - 2:20 p.m. - Jaberrius Peake
