Results

The Mustangs came out on fire on the first day of competition at the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championship in Wichita – already picking up one medal. Kaitlyn Gearin placed second with a time of 36:11.45 in the 10k, which was the only final for SMU today. 

"I'm very happy with the race and that I was able to put points on the board for the team," Gearin said. "I am looking forward to the 5k on Sunday, and I am very proud of all of the girls who competed today."

Olivia Dobson is sitting in third after the first day of the heptathlon, which included 100 hurdles, 200, shot put and high jump. She won both the high jump and the shot put – even breaking the AAC record she set last year in the shot put that was previously 13.99. Today, she threw 14.41 meters. 

In the 100 hurdles, Dobson set a personal record with her time of 14.76 seconds. Tomorrow, she will compete for her spot on the podium in the remaining events: long jump, javelin, and the 800. 

"I am very happy with my hurdles PR," Dobson said. "It was great to finally go sub-15 seconds as I have been wanting that for a while! I was a little unhappy with my 200 but all the other events went well, so I am glad to finish in a strong place going into day two." 

Steffi Jones made it out of the qualifying round of the 1500 running the fastest time of the day with 4:33.24. She did so with her own mantra that reminded her to keep on fighting. 

"When my muscles start to burn and tighten, I just tell myself over and over 'Be comfortable with being uncomfortable,'" Jones said. "I've found that helps in a lot of things in life actually!" 

Tomorrow, Jones will tackle the 800 before the 1500 finals on Sunday. 

"I'm super happy that I secured my main race," Jones said. "It's a good note to start the meet on." 

Freshman Emily Waller is making the most of her first trip to the AAC Outdoor Championship by making finals in the 400 hurdles. Waller ran a time of 1:01.19 -- fast enough to get her in the eighth slot and secure her spot for Sunday's final as well as PR. 

The Mustangs currently sit in sixth place with eight points with only one of their final events scored.  

FULL MUSTANGS DAY 1 RESULTS 

1500 

1 Steffi Jones 4:33.24 Q 

13 Kendall Saeger 4:40.42 

400H 

8 Emily Waller 1:01.19 q (PR) 

10k 

2 Kaitlyn Gearin 36:11.45 (8 points) 

11 Maddie Hulcy 37:43.33 

14 Lior Kremer 38:35.14  

15 Mia Olsen 39:11.14 

18 Olivia Lackner 40:11.94 

HEPTATHLON – OLIVIA DOBSON (Currently 3rd with 3307 points) 

100H 

9 Dobson 14.76 (PR) 

High Jump 

1 Dobson 1.70m 

Shot Put 

1 Dobson 14.41m 

200 

10 Dobson 26.47