GULF SHORES, Ala. – One day removed from an All-American showing, the bar has been set for the Warriors entering day two of the NAIA Track & Field National Championship. While there were no All-Americans honored on Thursday, a record was broken on another memorable day in Gulf Shores.
 
Two athletes were in competition Thursday as weather held off after a shortened day of competition Wednesday.
 
First up for the Warriors was Alexis Jones, competing in her second NAIA National Championship in as many years. After competing in the 4x400m relay a season ago, Jones was by herself this year as she stepped into the field of athletes in the women's triple jump.
 
Head coach Jeff Magley spoke Wednesday night about Jones' preparations, noting, "(Alexis) has been looking great in practice, she looked great at the last chance meet two weeks ago. We are really excited to see her go in the triple jump."
 
At the aforementioned last chance meet on May 15, Jones posted a mark of 11.30m, the best of her career, but due to wind the mark does not officially count as a new PR or program record. There was no wind to sway records today.
 
Jones posted a mark of 11.19m on Thursday which officially goes down in the books as her new lifetime PR and Jessup program record in the women's triple jump.
 
It's a highlight ending to the season for Jones, a sophomore, who earned GSAC Freshman of the Year status at the 2021 GSAC Championship. Jones was an All-Conference finisher in 2022 in both the triple and long jump.
 
Next on the schedule Thursday was the anticipated running of the women's 10K. Originally scheduled for Wednesday night, the event was pushed to Thursday after thunderstorms in Alabama caused all events to come to an early halt Wednesday afternoon.
 
Running in the event for the Warriors was Azalea Prince. Prince was capping off an incredible season which saw her qualify for both the NAIA National Championship in Cross Country and Track & Field.
 
In a stacked field of runners, Prince posted a time of 39:40.66, two minutes off her lifetime PR which was set on March 31 at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic.
 
Magley spoke on Wednesday about the field of runners Prince was set to run against. "There are a lot of very talented of women and we are excited to see her engage with that field of 10K runners."
 
With two days now in the books, one day remains in Alabama, and it will get started bright and early. With the starter's gun set to sound off at 6 a.m. (EST), Jessup's Alejandra Ceja and Ryan Hanks will be off and running in the half marathon.
 
The action for the Warriors then wraps up with the women's discus at 1 p.m. (EST), featuring Jessica Pedretti.
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).