Sophomore Mackenzie Smith (Hoquiam, WA) and junior Jake Baechle (Aurora, OH) of the University of Redlands track & field teams gained invitations to the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Marietta, OH, according to an official announcement made today by the NCAA.

Smith, who will compete in the Javelin Throw, enters the meet with the eighth-best mark in NCAA Division III at 139′ 6″. A two-time Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Champion in the event, she placed sixth at the 2008 NCAA Championships in the Javelin Throw, earning All-American status. Trials and finals for the Javelin Throw are both on May 21.

For the second straight season, Baechle has graced the list of NCAA Championship invitees in the 800m Run. Also a two-time SCIAC Champion in the event, he competed in last year’s national championship meet, clocking a 1:53.77 in the preliminary heats of the 800m Run. His entry time of 1:51.28 ranks sixth in NCAA Division III this season. Trials for the men’s 800m Run are on May 22 while finals take place on May 23.

Hosted by Marietta College (OH), the NCAA Championships occur from May 21-23 at Don Drumm Stadium in Marietta, OH.

For an official list of those chosen for the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, please visit http://www.raceberryjam.com/indexod.html.

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