.png&type=webp)
Van der Westhuizen Clinches Spot in NCAA Championships
5/29/2025 8:50:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
COLLEGE STATION – The Rice women's track and field team saw one athlete secure a spot at the NCAA Championships, with Mckyla Van der Westhuizen advancing in the javelin Thursday afternoon at the NCAA West Prelims in College Station.
Van der Westhuizen has now advanced to the NCAA Championships in each of her three seasons competing. The reigning third-place finisher at last season's championship meet advances after finishing third at prelims with a throw of 57.17m.
Saniya Friendly saw her 2025 campaign come to a close, finishing 40th in the 100m with a time of 11.55s.
Riana Green also finished 40th to close her sophomore season, doing so in the 400m with a time of 54.41s.
Post-Meet Reaction - Head Coach Jim Bevan
"Overall, we saw the conclusion of two great young athletes, having made a big step forward this season and shown big progress this year from Saniya and Riana. I'm very proud of both of them for making the next level and making it to prelims, a tremendous feat for both of them. I'm looking forward to how this helps them progress in their careers next year. Obviously, the highlight is Mckyla for advancing to the NCAA Championships, once again. I am so proud of her; she actually qualified on her first throw, but had a great final throw to put her in the final heat in Eugene. She had the second-best throw of the season today and is in a great position for the NCAA meet in two weeks. We are not done yet, as we will have Alice Taylor in the high jump on Saturday. I'm hopeful to see a repeat of last season's prelims for her and advancing once more to Eugene."
RESULTS
100m
40. Saniya Friendly – 11.55s
400m
40. Riana Green – 54.41s
Javelin
3. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 57.17m
RESULTS
Alice Taylor will close out Rice's stay at the NCAA West Prelims on Saturday.
Van der Westhuizen has now advanced to the NCAA Championships in each of her three seasons competing. The reigning third-place finisher at last season's championship meet advances after finishing third at prelims with a throw of 57.17m.
Saniya Friendly saw her 2025 campaign come to a close, finishing 40th in the 100m with a time of 11.55s.
Riana Green also finished 40th to close her sophomore season, doing so in the 400m with a time of 54.41s.
"Overall, we saw the conclusion of two great young athletes, having made a big step forward this season and shown big progress this year from Saniya and Riana. I'm very proud of both of them for making the next level and making it to prelims, a tremendous feat for both of them. I'm looking forward to how this helps them progress in their careers next year. Obviously, the highlight is Mckyla for advancing to the NCAA Championships, once again. I am so proud of her; she actually qualified on her first throw, but had a great final throw to put her in the final heat in Eugene. She had the second-best throw of the season today and is in a great position for the NCAA meet in two weeks. We are not done yet, as we will have Alice Taylor in the high jump on Saturday. I'm hopeful to see a repeat of last season's prelims for her and advancing once more to Eugene."
100m
40. Saniya Friendly – 11.55s
400m
40. Riana Green – 54.41s
Javelin
3. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 57.17m
Alice Taylor will close out Rice's stay at the NCAA West Prelims on Saturday.
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Javelin
/ Women's Track & Field2024 Night of the Owl End of Year Recap
Thursday, April 25
Tommy McClelland Introductory Press Conference
Sunday, August 06
2023 Night of The Owl End of Year Highlight
Tuesday, April 25
Night of The Owl End of Year Highlight
Monday, April 04