Van der Westhuizen Advances to NCAA Championships

FAYETTEVILLE – The Rice women's track and field team had a tremendous first day at the NCAA West Prelims on Friday in Fayetteville, Ark., with one Owl headed to the national championship in Eugene, while two more advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals.

Mckyla Van der Westhuizen secured a spot at the championship meet for the fourth consecutive season, finishing second in the javelin off her first throw of 57.09m. Emily Harbach (47.04m) and Elena Schwegman (46.98m) closed their seasons in 23^rd and 24^th, respectively.

Van der Westhuizen joined Alice Taylor, who already earned a spot in Eugene with one of the top-24 heptathlon marks in the nation.

Julia Johannesdottir earned a spot in Saturday's quarterfinals for the 100m hurdles after finishing ninth with a time of 13.21.

Barbora Malíková also advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals for the 400m, ending in 13^th with a time of 52.28. Riana Green finished in 39^th with a time of 53.58.

Saniya Friendly closed her tremendous 2026 season, finishing 31^st in the 100m with a time of 11.54.

Sydney Freeman closed Rice's night, finishing 47^th in the 400m hurdles.

Post Meet Reaction - Head Coach Jim Bevan
"Taking today event by event, we started with Elena, who we celebrated her career from joining as a walk-on sophomore and eventually making nationals, finishing better than seeded. What a way to end her career. Emily gained valuable national experience as a freshman. We can expect great things from her in the future. Our javelin crew was anchored by Mckyla, who opened with a big throw, to solidify her spot in the national finals for a fourth year in a row. That is extremely rare and an amazing accomplishment. We moved over to the track, where Julia moved on to the quarterfinal race after a good race in the 100m hurdles. Saniya came out and ran a good 100m, and finished better than expected. Riana gained more experience at the national meet in the 400m. Barbora made it through to the quarterfinals in the 400m with a great race. We are hoping for a big race from her on Saturday. Sydney gave it all she had and is a great competitor, in that, a hurdle got her. But she qualified here as a freshman and has a great future ahead of her. I am looking forward to the running finals Saturday in addition to Alice, who already qualified in the heptathlon, and Savannah."

RESULTS
Javelin
2. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 57.09m (advances)
23. Emily Harbach – 47.04m
24. Elena Schwegman – 46.98m

100m Hurdles Prelims
9. Julia Johannesdottir – 13.21 (advances to Saturday)

400m Prelims
13. Barbora Malíková – 52.28 (advances to Saturday)
39. Riana Green – 53.58

100m Prelims
31. Saniya Friendly – 11.54

400m Hurdle Prelims
47. Sydney Freeman – 1:03.71

UP NEXT
The final day of competition for the NCAA West Prelims is slated for Saturday.

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