MARION, IND. – Valley City State University's Olivia Backus competed in the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in the high jump today. In her first trip to nationals Backus was unsuccessful in clearing 1.61 meters in three attempts.
 
Backus, a sophomore, qualified for the national meet for the first time after successfully clearing 1.66 meters at the NSAA Conference Championships. She was named NSAA All-Conference taking second in the conference.
 
Full High Jump Results
 
Dickinson State University's Adarra Hagelund won nationals after successfully clearing 1.75 meters. Three athletes represented the North Star Athletic Association in the high jump including, Backus, Hagelund, and Paige Erhardt from the University of Jamestown.
 
Backus was joined by Viking senior Kendra Odegard who took second in the javelin earning All-American honors on Wednesday, May 21.