Women’s relay makes history, qualifies for NCAA Championships alongside McMillan

ORANGE, Calif. – For the first time in school history, the Chapman University women's track & field team will be represented at the NCAA Division III Championships. Junior Jesse McMillan will also be returning to the championship meet for the second year in a row.

At the Redlands Final Qualifier on Thursday, the Panthers' 4x100m relay posted a school record time of 46.85 to move into the top-16 in Division III and qualify for the national championships. The quartet of Khyra Stiner, Zoe Zurasky, Kaylee Smith and Makenna Lizarde will be the first female athlete from Chapman track & field to compete at an NCAA Championship.

McMillan also vaulted into the national championships at the Redlands Final Qualifier on Thursday. The Chapman record-holder in the pole vault entered the day outside the top-22 but cleared a personal-best 4.91 meters (16-feet, 1.25-inches) – the 15th-best mark in Division III. His 4.91 meter clearance was not only the best vault of the season, but also bettered his previous school record set a year ago.

The women's relay will be the second event on the track on Thursday at 2:15 p.m. (PT) while McMillan will compete on Friday at 7 a.m. (PT) at the NCAA Division III Championships in Rochester, N.Y.  

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director