Results

        GULF SHORES, Ala. — Xavier University of Louisiana's DaNya Horne made her first impression a great one, throwing the discus 43.49 meters/142 feet, 8 inches on her initial attempt Friday en route to All-America honors at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium Complex.
        Nine of the 30 competitors advanced to the final. Horne ranked seventh entering the final and held on to that position. Thirty-two qualified for nationals in this event. Horne ranked 21st entering the meet.
        The top eight finishers in each event earn All-America.
        "I just had to go for it from the start," said Horne, a junior pre-medical major from Omaha, Neb., and a graduate of North High School. "I was ready. The first throw felt good. It was a PR (personal record), and I knew I was in good position."
        This was Horne's first appearance at nationals. She qualified April 2 with 42.41 meters/139-2 at the Southern Miss Invitational, then improved her mark May 13 with 43.34/142-2 at the Carey Last Chance.
        Horne was the only XULA thrower to qualify for nationals, but she expressed gratitude to the "throws group" — teammates Elise Adams, Britney Dixon, Kayla Gant and Destiny Willfork, plus Thomas Donald, Eric Scott and Lewis Wilson from the men's team — for helping her develop.
        "I believe in myself," said Horne, whose best mark in high school was 38.78 meters/127-3, "and the team believes in me."
        Six of the top eight seeds who competed did not make the final, including Kortney Schutt of Friends, No. 1 with 51.39 meters/168-7 but 19th Friday at 41.43/135-11.
        Benedictine (Kan.) sophomore Madison Sutton, third at nationals a year ago, won Friday with 48.29 meters/158-5. But two other returning All-Americans, Kiara Anderson of Hastings and Sara Huss of Concordia (Neb.), finished 27th and 17th, respectively.