Miller throws for career-best in javelin on opening day of NCAA West Prelims

COLLEGE STATION, Tex. --- The 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary Meet commenced at Texas A&M's E.B. Cushing Stadium on Wednesday as seven Panther athletes took to the pits and track with the goal of qualifying for the final championship meet in Oregon in just a few short weeks.

Justice Miller, Carson Lienau and David Russell all made their NCAA Preliminary debuts on the first day of the four-day competition, joining Panther veterans Brendan Safley, Spencer Kessel, Drake Hanson and Chase Knoche in action.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Miller, the two-time defending Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) javelin champion concluded his junior season throwing a career-best mark of 217 feet, one inch (66.18 meters), topping the first of four flights and placing 19th overall. Miller's new mark ranks second all-time in UNI history, three feet and nine inches from tying Marcin Kazubowski's 2008 program record.

A trio of Panther shot putters took to the throwing circle led by Lienau, who threw 59 feet, nine inches (18.21 meters) to take third in the second flight and 22nd overall. Kessel, making his second consecutive NCAA West Preliminary appearance, threw 57 feet, 11 ¾ inches (17.67 meters) to take 34th place after finishing 38th overall last year. Russell notched a 56 foot, seven and a half inch throw (17.26 meters) to place 41st place.

In the pole vault, Safely, who captured the MVC title in thrilling fashion just a few short weeks ago and took 22nd at the NCAA Prelims last season, needed just two attempts to clear 16 feet, 11 and a half inches (5.17m), finishing in 21st place overall. Safley concludes his collegiate career ranked fifth all-time in the outdoor pole vault in team history and a two-time outdoor conference champion.

Rounding out the first day of action on the track, Hanson and Knoche both ran the 800 meters for the Panthers in their second career NCAA Preliminary appearances. With both athletes running in the sixth and final heat, Hanson, who finished 48th at the prelims a year ago, clocked a 1:49.35 to finish in 31st place overall, while Knoche took 36th in 1:50.03. Hanson finishes his UNI career ranked second all-time in school history in the event with a time of 1:47.90 from earlier this year.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Thursday as MVC women's shot put champion Katie Fare enters the throwing circle at 6 p.m. CT, while Carlie Jo Fusco makes her NCAA West Preliminary debut at 8:20 p.m. CT in the first round of the women's 400-meter hurdles. Live coverage of the meet can be found on ESPN+.

PANTHERS AT NCAA WEST PRELIMINARY MEET

Wednesday, May 28

Men's Javelin (First Round) | Justice Miller - 19th - 217 feet, 1 inch (66.18m)
Men's Shot Put (First Round) | Carson Lienau - 22nd - 59 feet, 9 inches (18.29m)
Men's Shot Put (First Round) | Spencer Kessel - 34th - 57 feet, 11 ¾ inches (17.67m)
Men's Shot Put (First Round) | David Russell - 41st - 56 feet, 7 ½ inches (17.26m)
Men's Pole Vault (Semifinals) | Brendan Safley - 21st - 16 feet, 11 ½ inches (5.17m)
Men's 800m (First Round) | Drake Hanson - 31st - 1:49.35
Men's 800m (First Round) | Chase Knoche - 36th - 1:50.03

Thursday, May 29

6 p.m. CT - Women's Shot Put (First Round) [Fare]
8:20 p.m. CT - Women's 400m Hurdles (First Round) [Fusco]

Friday, May 30

8:45 p.m. CT - Men's 4x400m Relay (Quarterfinals) [Butcher, Hanson, Kiewiet, Bosch]

Saturday, May 31

3:30 p.m. CT - Women's High Jump (Semifinal) [Moreland]
5:40 p.m. CT - Women's 3,000m Steeplechase (Quarterfinals) [Hoins]
7:25 p.m. CT - Women's 400m Hurdles (Quarterfinals)***

*** Pending qualification

UNI track and field action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Track and Field), X (@UNITrackFieldXC) and on Instagram (@uni_tf_xc). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.

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