Results

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Pacific Lutheran University senior Bailey Forsyth cemented her place in the record books on Saturday, closing her season by winning national titles in both the 100-meters and 200-meters to highlight the final day of the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships at North Carolina A&T State University's Irwin Belk Track Complex.

In the 100-meters, Forsyth pulled away from the field midway through the race in Saturday's finals, clocking a time of 11.80 seconds to secure the national title. The Langley, Washington native was 0.15 seconds faster than runner-up Terrianna Black of Loras College and capped off the 2021 season undefeated in the 100-meters, winning all eight races she competed in.

Forsyth becomes PLU's first ever national champion in the 100-meters and the first Lute national champ since Machaela Graddy '18 won the javelin title at the 2018 NCAA Championships.
 
Forsyth's bid for a second national title was delayed nearly two hours due to inclement weather. The delay didn't damper Forsyth's quest for a second crown, easily winning the 200-meters in a blazing school record time of 23.74, finishing a whopping 0.39 seconds ahead of runner-up Aspen Rolfes from Nebraska Wesleyan University. The record-setting time shaved 0.12 off her previous school record that was set at the 2021 Northwest Conference Championships.

"I couldn't have dreamed up a better finish to the season. There aren't any superlatives left to describe the season Bailey has had. It was impressive to see her sweep both events by wide margins. I'm so proud of Bailey for her hard work and to Coach Marqui Makupson for preparing her to compete at this level," said Head Coach Adam Frye. 

"It was also really exciting to see our women's team finish in the top ten in the country! Bailey, Lauren and Ava represented our team incredibly well in earning four All-American honors. This team finish is a product of the efforts of our entire team."
 
Forsyth's double puts her in elite company becoming the 15th student-athlete to win both the 100 and 200 at the NCAA Division III Championships. The senior sprinter additionally becomes the first Lute track & field athlete to win two national titles at the same meet and the first Lute in any sport to do so since Aurora Bray at the 1996 NAIA Women's Swimming Championships.

"I honestly don't really have the words to put to this, I'm still a bit speechless! If you had told me at the beginning of the season that this is where I would end up, I would've just shaken my head," said Forsyth.

"To even get to nationals was a huge achievement for me, but then to go win the 100 and the 200 back-to-back? It feels so surreal. And the amount of support I've gotten from friends, family, and the entire Lute community has completely floored me. I'm proud to be a Lute, and I'm thrilled that I can represent PLU on that stage! I would be nowhere without that support, and I'll be forever grateful to have had the opportunity to compete in the black and gold!"

In the field, Seth Bridge finished 11th in the shot put. The senior had his best throw on his second attempt with a toss of 52' 10 3/4". Saturday's shot put was the second event of the NCAA Meet that Bridge competed in. On Thursday, the Elma, Washington native took 10th in the discus with a toss of 155' 3".

"It was great to see Seth compete well again today in the shot put. To improve on his seeded position in both events in his first national meet is something to be proud of. He showed he could compete with the best throwers in NCAA DIII. Awesome work from Seth and Coach Trey Henderson!"

Friday saw Lauren Wilson earn All-American honors for the third time in her career, clearing 5' 5 3/4" to finish seventh overall in the high jump. Ava Nelson earned All-American status for the second time in her career, placing seventh in the javelin on Thursday with a heave of 136' 1".

The Lute women finished ninth overall in the team standings, scoring 24 points, PLU's best finish since the 1999 NCAA Championships. PLU was additionally the top finishing NWC institution at the meet, outdistancing NWC Champion George Fox University as the Bruins finished with 19 points.