National Champion, three All-Americans and school record set at Outdoor Championships
Will Reemtsma defended his National Championship in the 400-meter hurdles and was one of three Bees crowned an All-American as St. Ambrose finished its season at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Marion, Ind.
Reemtsma won the event in 50.84 seconds. That came on the heels of posting the top qualifying time in prelims at 51.37 seconds. Reemtsma was also part of a school-record-setting performance in the 4x100-meter relay. Nik Norton, Reemtsma, Austin Kalar and Yemi Ward combined for a time of 41.05 seconds, good for 18th place.
Gabbi Butler earned All-American honors in the women's 400-meter dash. In a two-heat final, Butler won the first heat in 55.46 seconds. That proved to be the fifth-fastest time in the race. Butler also placed 20th in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.88 seconds.
Mick Saloninas was the team's other All-American. He second attempt of the day came in at 16.40 meters to place him seventh in the shot put. He is a two-time All-American in the event. Jonah Wilson also competed in the shot put, narrowly missing a top-10 finish by taking 11th with a best throw of 15.97 meters.
Those two Bees also competed in the men's discus. Saloninas final throw measured at 48.05 meters. That earned him 14th place. Wilson's first throw proved to be his best. His mark of 44.29 meters was good for 25th.
Nolan Rudd was the other SAU men's national qualifier. After qualifying for the finals of the 3000-meter steeplechase with a prelim time of 9:26.14, Rudd improved his time in the finals. He finished 10th in 9:24.52.
On the women's side, Annah Miller nearly gave St. Ambrose a fourth All-American finish. She settled for ninth place in the shot put with a top toss of 13.91 meters. Miller also placed 11th in the discus with an effort of 43.22 meters.
Katie Lambrecht placed 21st in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:08.98. The 4x400-meter relay team of Megan Jansett, Butler, Jadie Knecht and Paige Crippes took 27th in 4:08.46.
The St. Ambrose men finished 26th in the NAIA with 12 points while the women earned four points to finish 47th.