After achieving best decathlon score in division since 1987, Weaver returns to capture another title for Blugolds with clutch sixth-round javelin throw; Lavarnway knocks off heptathlon record holder Wallace to eclipse 1992 championship meet standard and Rollins repeats in men’s high jump

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Marcus Weaver had already put together the best decathlon performance by a Division 3 athlete in more than 30 years, but the Wisconsin-Eau Claire sophomore wasn’t done contributing Friday for the Blugolds at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Irwin Belk Track in Greensboro, N.C.

Weaver rallied from fifth on his final throw of the javelin competition to win the title with a 222-foot performance (67.68m), adding another 10 points for Wisconsin-Eau Claire, which earned its first championship in the event.

Weaver led three Blugolds in the top four of the decathlon, accumulating 7,510 points, followed by runner-up Mitch Stegman with 6,952 points and fourth-place finisher Jordan Lacey with 6,852 points. Wisconsin-Eau Claire earned 23 points in the decathlon overall

Weaver’s total elevated him to the No. 3 competitor in Division 3 history, with the best decathlon score at the championship meet since Kip Janvrin of Simpson (Iowa) produced a 7,528-point performance in 1987.

Janvrin ranks No. 2 all-time in the division, with he and Weaver trailing only Tony Hale of Fisk (Tennessee) and the 1978 record of 7,628 points.

Wisconsin-Eau Claire was seeking a sweep of the multi-event championships, with the Division 3 record holder Megan Wallace being knocked off by SUNY Geneseo sophomore Emily Lavarnway by a 5,372 to 5,293 margin.

Lavarnway surpassed the championship meet record of 5,320 points achieved in 1992 by Kim Oden of Nebraska-Wesleyan.

Wallace set the Division 3 record with 5,471 points April 16-17 at the Ashton-Esten event against Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Lavarnway, who ascended to the No. 3 competitor in division history, trails only Oden at 5,467 points and Wallace. Her championship was the first in the heptathlon for SUNY Geneseo.

St. John Fisher senior Kyle Rollins repeated as men’s high jump champion, clearing 6-11 (2.11m) on his first attempt to edge Mount Union junior Tanner Slack, who made the height on his third opportunity.

Colby sophomore Sharde Johnson captured the first women’s title in any field event for the Mules, clearing a program-record 5-9.25 (1.76m) on her first attempt to prevail in the high jump.

Wartburg freshman Aubrie Fisher produced a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:30.46, covering the final lap in 77 seconds to rally past Tufts junior Melissa Rowland (10:31.82) to secure the first championship in the event for the Knights.

Carleton junior Matthew Wilkinson turned in a dominant effort in the men’s 3,000 steeplechase final, securing the win in 8:47.39 to produce the first title in any distance race for the Knights since 1978. Wilkinson had previously elevated to the No. 3 competitor in division history May 14 by running 8:44.01 at the MIAC Outdoor Championships.

Following her division record 4:13.69 in the 1,500 prelims Thursday, Emily Pomainville of SUNY Geneseo returned Friday to achieve the fastest qualifying time of 2:10.18 in the 800 prelims, ahead of Esther Seeland of Messiah in 2:11.62, setting the stage for an exciting final Saturday.