UC Davis’ Ashley Hearn led the way for the Big West in the women’s discus event, throwing a personal best 190-feet, 1 inch at the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa at Drake University.

Hearn was one of three athletes that competed at the NCAA Championships in the first of the three-day event.  Hearn’s throw launched her into third overall, beating her personal record by over five feet, making her the Aggies’ first Outdoor Track and Field All-American in its Division I era.   Hearn’s mark qualified her for the upcoming U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials at the University of Oregon. 

The dynamic Big West duo of UC Irvine’s Charles Jock and UC Santa Barbara’s Ryan Martin proved they were at the Championships for a reason taking the one-two finish in the first fleet of the men’s 800-meter.  Jock led from the start to finish first (1:46.24), while Martin came from behind for the final push to finish runner-up (1:46.44).

Both Jock and Martin will advance to the final round of competition on Friday, June 8 at 4:10 p.m. (PT).  Jock’s time was clocked as the fourth-fastest in the semifinals at Drake Stadium going into the final fleet.

Competition continues through Friday, June 8 in Des Moines, Iowa with three events of competition Thursday.  Ben Woodruff of Long Beach State will compete in the men’s javelin at 11:30 a.m. (PT), UC Davis’ Sarah Sumpter in the women’s 10,000-meter race at 5:45 p.m. (PT) and UC Santa Barbara’s Barbara Nwaba will take part in the heptathlon.