RESULTS

PUEBLO, Colo.-Three final appearances turned into three podium finishes as the Fresno Pacific track and field team wound up the 2023 season by christening a new batch of All-Americans at the NCAA Division II National Championships Saturday.

"I'm so impressed with our sprints and throws crew for continuing a tradition of excellence," Fresno Pacific  head coach Ray Winter said.

Dejan Mileusnic started the day in a fierce challenge for the National Championship in the javelin.

Mileusnic started the second flight with an emphatic throw, posting a mark of 74.17 to lead momentarily. But Angelo State's Devoux Deysel, the 2021 champion, topped the throw at the end of the second flight's first attempts.

Mileusnic bettered his mark on his second throw with a 77.19 but remained in second.

Deysel then broke the meet and Division II records by posting a 79.14.

Nobody else was within five meters of the Deysel and Mileusnic over the first three throws as the windy conditions wreaked havoc on at least one throw for every competitor.

For Mileusnic, it appeared to be his final throw during the first flight. He still managed to set a new school record and deliver the fourth farthest throw in NCAA Division II history, landing the javelin at 77.60.

But as the wind continued, nobody else closed in on the top two and Mileusnic matched the best individual podium finish in Fresno Pacific history with 2^nd place.

"(Throws coaches) Ray Hansen and Tim Holmes have built our throwers into a strong presence in the West Region," Winter said of a National showing that included Mileusnic and Jesse Franco making the trip to Pueblo.

Shortly after, the women's 4 x 100 relay competed in another quick field. Aubrianna Smith helped qualify for Saturday's final but was replaced by Iyanna Fuller due to injury.

Fuller ran the opening leg and got FPU off to a strong start.

Madison Flores and Ariana Vera pushed the pace on the first two exchanges and Zara Anthony anchored the fastest event time in Fresno Pacific history of 44.73.  

"The mindset of the group today was just to give it our all and leave it all on the track," Flores said of the team's approach. "We knew we needed to execute and we did just that against what I think has been the most competitive sprinting field so far in Division II. We were just determined to make it to the podium no matter what."

In the 4 x 400, Flores, Brianna Green, Fuller, and Vera posted a 3:41.54 to grab a spot on the podium.

"Like our throws team, (Sprints coach) Robert Foster has also built our team strong, earning All-American honors in both relays for the second year in a row with a largely new crew." Winter added. "Seniors like Madison Flores and Zara Anthony have passed the baton to the next generation of stars and I'm confident the program will continue to shine."

Vera celebrated her birthday with a pair of All-American finishes in her first season as a Sunbird.

Flores finishes her career as one of the most decorated athletes in FPU history and concludes her time as a Sunbird as an eight-time All-American.

"It's a very bittersweet feeling ending my five years of track at Fresno Pacific," Flores said. "I've been so blessed to experience and achieve more than I ever imagined in my career. I'm thankful to have been surrounded by the best people and coaches. I've grown and learned so much as an athlete and person and these past few years will hold some of the biggest highlights of my life for a long time."

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