Saturday, May 29, 2021

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Beau Ackerman and Calahan Warren made cetain their season ended with some hardware.

The Montana State Billings and Western Washington seniors both earned All-American trophies as the 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships concluded Saturday at Grand Valley State’s Lacrosse and Track & Field Stadium.

Ackerman, who entered the championships with the No. 3 mark in the men’s javelin, secured a fourth-place finish on his final throw of the competition with a mark of 231 feet, 10 inches. Ackerman had two throws in the competition that sailed over 200 feet, including an effort of 224 feet, 3 inches on his second attempt of the preliminary rounds. Devoux Deysel of Angelo State won with a mark of 247 feet, 10 inches.

It is Ackerman’s second All-American trophy after having finished fifth at the 2018 Championships.

“It really feels like 2018 was a long time ago,” Ackerman said to MSUBSports.com. “A lot of things have happened between now and then, and I just tried to make it back this year. Making it back to nationals and being top-five again means a lot. I wanted to place higher, but if I decide to keep throwing I think it will be good that I feel like I still have something to prove and I feel like I can do better.”

Warren, who transferred to Western Washington last summer from Embry-Riddle (Fla.), earned his first career All-American trophy with a sixth-place finish in the men’s 1,500 meters. Staying with the lead pack in a very close race from start to finish, Warren placed sixth in a time on 3:53.68, moving up from the 17th place finish he had for the Eagles at the 2019 national meet.

The top seven placers in the race were separated by eight-tenths of a second. James Young of Academy of Art claimed the title in a time of 3:52.95.

It is the final year of eligiblity for Ackerman while Warren is expected to return to Western Washington for the 2022 season.

Western Washington senior Hannah Nienaber closed out her career with a ninth-place finish in the women’s javelin. Her top mark of 138 feet, 4 inches, came on her second attempt in the preliminary rounds. Danielle Collier of Slippery Rock won with her mark of 174 feet, 6 inches.

Seattle Pacific senior Dania Holmberg finished out with a ninth-place finish in the women’s 1,500 meters, clocking in with a time of 4:25.74. Stephanie Cotter of Adams State won with a time of 4:14.96. Holmberg improved from her 18th place finish in the event at the 2019 national meet.

Western Washington sophomore Aliyah Dawkins tied for 12th place in the women’s high jump as she cleared the opening height of 5 feet, 5 inches.