BROOKINGS, S.D. – The action from South Dakota resumed on Friday, as two Warriors made their NAIA National Championship debut. Competing in both track and field events, Jessup now leaves South Dakota with sights set on a run to outdoor nationals.
 
Friday wraps up the final indoor season for Jessup as an NAIA institution, as Jessup will transition into NCAA Division II next season. Head coach Jeff Magley touched on this, noting, "Knowing this is our final season in the NAIA and our final Indoor National Championships created a little different feeling entering the championships. But the facility here at South Dakota State is fantastic, and it was great to have three individuals qualified for our final NAIA Indoor Nationals."
 
On the schedule Friday was freshman Paloma Baumert (Pole Vault) and sophomore Erica Waseq (60m Hurdle), both making their nationals debut.
 
Waseq, the reigning GSAC Freshman of the Year, qualified for the national championship by hitting the A-Standard. It was the first indoor A-Standard in program history. Her time of 9.02 placed her 26th in the field, as her indoor season ends in the prelims.
 
On Waseq's showing, Magley added, "Today's race was critical for the experience development in Erica's young career. She had a huge breakthrough race earlier this year to qualify for Nationals, and this was her first time competing against this level of competition. The experience she gained today in her first ever indoor meet against national level competition will be huge for her not only this outdoor season but also looking ahead as we transition to Division II."
 
Baumert posted her best mark at 3.37m as she wraps up the first indoor season of her collegiate career at nationals. The mark placed her in a tie for 24th in the field.
 
On Baumert, Magley noted, "As a true freshman qualifying for her very first National Championship, this was a great chance for Paloma to jump against high-level completion and manage the uniqueness of a national pole vault competition with 30 girls in the competition, which is so different than our regular invitationals.  To manage that setting and clear a height gives her valuable experience for the rest of her career."
 
The duo wrapped up an indoor season that saw three student-athletes punch their ticket to South Dakota, as Azalea Prince made her sixth career nationals appearance yesterday in the 5000m.
 
For the rest of the Warriors, the season resumes tomorrow as Jessup will compete in the Kim Dusyt Invitational, hosted by Stanislaus State in Turlock.
   
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 Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).