UAA heptathlete Cody Thomas raced, threw and jumped his way into first place through four of seven events at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday in Birmingham, Alabama.
Thomas, a junior from New Zealand, set a pair of school records by jumping 6 feet, 10.25 inches in the high jump and running the 60 meters in 6.91 seconds. Both performances were good enough for first place in the event and helped Thomas take a 73-point lead over Dillon Schrodt of Nebraska-Kearney. Thomas posted personal bests in three of four heptathlon events Friday, including a personal best heave of 41 feet, 1.5 inches in the shot put and a leap of 22 feet, 3.5 inches in the long jump.
The final three events of the heptathlon -- the 60 meter hurdles, pole vault and 1,000 meter run -- will be held Saturday.
Also on Friday, the UAA women's team earned All-American honors in the distance medley by placing eighth. The team -- consisting of senior Haleigh Lloyd and juniors Beatrice Decker, Jessica Pahkala and Rosie Smith -- finished in 11 minutes, 40.67 seconds.
The meet concludes Saturday.