Smatlak Earns First in Javelin During Dr. Keeler Invitational

Anderson University women's track and field senior Emily Smatlak (Lynnwood, Wash./Lynnwood) earned first in the javelin during the Dr. Keeler Invitational on Friday in Naperville, Ill.

Smatlak fired the javelin at a distance of 37.31 meters (122 feet, 5 inches). The Lynnwood, wash. native ranks 11th in the nation with her school-record throw of 42.10 meters (138 feet, 1.5 inches) in Terre Haute last Friday.

"It wasn't my best day and it wasn't my worst day either," Smatlak said. "I just hope it follows the flow of bad meet, good meet, bad meet to good meet because nationals would be the next meet."

"The placement on the bottom half of the body caused the top half position to not snap like she wanted," Coach Sol Stephens said. "Still, in a meet with other [athletes that have broken the 40-meter threshold in the javelin] and still come out first, we'll take it and keep working towards our goal."

Anderson currently awaits the NCAA Division III national qualifier list. The three-day NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships is set to begin on May 27 in Greensboro, N.C.