Vandemark Qualifies for Nationals as Yellowjackets Compete at Mule Relays

WARRENSBURG, Mo. — The Graceland University women's outdoor track and field team marked a major milestone at the University of Central Missouri Mule Relays on April 11, as senior thrower Kady Vandemark became the program's first national qualifier in outdoor competition history.

Vandemark delivered a standout performance in the women's discus throw, posting a career-best distance of 51.35 meters (168 feet, 6 inches). The throw met the NAIA "B" Standard, officially earning her a spot at the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships to be held later this spring.

"Kady has been building toward this moment," said Graceland head coach Quinton Harley. "Her discipline, mental focus, and technical growth in the circle have been phenomenal. That throw was no fluke—she's been putting in national-level work all season. This is a historic moment for Graceland women's track and field."

Vandemark's throw ranks her among the top performers in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and currently stands well within the national qualifying pool, further solidifying her as one of the most accomplished field athletes in program history.

Discus Dominance, Strong Throws Unit

Competing in the top flight of the women's discus, Vandemark opened with a solid mark before unleashing her 51.35-meter throw on a clean, balanced third attempt. The mark surpassed the NAIA "B" Standard threshold of 44.00 meters and placed her among elite company in the day's final standings.

The Yellowjackets' throws group continued to develop depth across other events. While results in the shot put and hammer throw remained outside qualifying marks, the technical consistency across all sectors showed the impact of progressive training and increased competition reps.

Sprint Progress Continues for Glover

In sprint events, sophomore Vashansti Glover represented the Yellowjackets in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, improving on her early season form. Glover finished the 200 meters in 27.54 seconds, placing in the top half of her section. Her 100-meter time clocked in at 13.75 seconds, as she continues refining her starts and race phases with each competition.

Glover's workload and event strategy are tailored toward peaking at the Heart of America Championships, and her results at the Mule Relays indicate steady gains in drive phase execution and sprint endurance.

Overall Team Evaluation

The Mule Relays featured athletes from a mix of NAIA and NCAA Division II institutions, offering Graceland competitors a high-caliber meet environment. The team focused on tactical execution, mechanical precision, and accumulating valuable competitive data ahead of the final push toward postseason qualifiers.

"This meet was a step forward in multiple areas," Harley said. "Beyond Kady's breakthrough, I was encouraged by the competitive intensity our athletes brought. The field was strong, and we showed we belong."

Graceland's women's team has focused its spring season on controlled progression, with incremental improvements in sprints, throws and jumps reflected in season-best marks throughout the roster.

Vandemark's 51.35m performance well exceeds the minimum threshold and positions her firmly within the top tier of potential qualifiers, especially notable given the strength of NAIA women's throws in 2025.

With her qualification, Vandemark becomes the first Yellowjacket woman in program history to advance to the outdoor national championships. She previously competed in indoor weight throw events, but this marks her first outdoor national appearance.

Coach's Corner: Harley on Program Progress

"We talk a lot about building a championship culture," Harley added. "This doesn't just happen overnight. Kady's performance gives this team a tangible milestone. It shows our young athletes what's possible through sustained discipline and belief."

Coach Harley emphasized the importance of staying focused with the Heart Conference Championships approaching.

"Our team culture is about process," he said. "We've still got work to do across the board, but this is a sign that we're doing it the right way. We're excited to take this momentum into the next meet and beyond."

Up Next

Graceland will return to competition on Saturday, April 19, at the Mount Mercy Debacker Invite, hosted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex. The meet serves as one of the final opportunities for athletes to hit conference qualifying marks and fine-tune performance ahead of postseason action.

For more information on Graceland outdoor track and field and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.