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Van der Westhuizen Places Seventh at NCAA Championships
6/12/2025 11:36:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
EUGENE – Mckyla Van der Westhuizen secured another successful trip to Track Town USA for the Rice women's track and field team, with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Thursday evening.
Her mark earns her First Team All-American honors, the third All-American honor of her career, and back-to-back years with First Team recognition.
Van der Westhuizen advanced to the finals after moving from tenth up to sixth on her third attempt with a distance of 56.65m. Her mark would remain the highest for her as Van der Westhuizen reached the podium once again in seventh place.
Alice Taylor (high jump) will close out Rice's stay at the championship meet on Saturday.
Post Meet Reaction - Head Coach Jim Bevan
"With her back against the wall, needing a long throw in the third round, Mckyla came through to make the finals and ended up placing seventh. She handled the pressure like the true competitor she is. It is the longest throw for a seventh-place finisher in the history of the meet. This is by far the toughest javelin competition that the NCAA has ever seen. To be here three years in a row and to be a First Team All-American twice really shows how much of a true competitor she is. Mckyla is an amazing athlete and an incredible person and is only adding to an already stellar career."
RESULTS
Javelin
7. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 56.65m (185-10) – First Team All-American
Her mark earns her First Team All-American honors, the third All-American honor of her career, and back-to-back years with First Team recognition.
Van der Westhuizen advanced to the finals after moving from tenth up to sixth on her third attempt with a distance of 56.65m. Her mark would remain the highest for her as Van der Westhuizen reached the podium once again in seventh place.
Alice Taylor (high jump) will close out Rice's stay at the championship meet on Saturday.
"With her back against the wall, needing a long throw in the third round, Mckyla came through to make the finals and ended up placing seventh. She handled the pressure like the true competitor she is. It is the longest throw for a seventh-place finisher in the history of the meet. This is by far the toughest javelin competition that the NCAA has ever seen. To be here three years in a row and to be a First Team All-American twice really shows how much of a true competitor she is. Mckyla is an amazing athlete and an incredible person and is only adding to an already stellar career."
Javelin
7. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 56.65m (185-10) – First Team All-American
Players Mentioned
Jumps/Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Javelin
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