Day 3 Results
MARION, Ind. – Vanguard enjoyed a banner day three to conclude the 2023 NAIA Women's Outdoor Track and Field National Championships with six student-athletes earning All-American status, including another school record.
All-American event qualifiers took place in 400 meter hurdles, as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Top eight finishers in each event earned All-American designations.
Jordyn Burke became a three-time All-American as a participant on both relay teams as well as her signature individual event – the 400 hurdles. Sister Eryn Burke captured two All-American citations as she also was involved in both relays. Jordyn Burke is the first Lion – men or women – to capture three All-America honors at one nationals meet.
"Going into the weekend, I just kept telling myself to put it all on the track for every race and to not let nationals be bigger than me," said Jordyn Burke. "I kept focusing on one race at a time and I feel like that helped me a lot mentally and physically. Going into nationals, I wasn't expecting three All-Americans, but as I was racing, I knew that it was something I could do. I couldn't have done it without all the support from coaches and teammates cheering me on at home and around the track!
"My favorite quote that I thought about constantly before my races started was Isaiah 41:10 – 'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'"
The day began with the 4x100 relay as the Lions trotted out Dorothy Jackson, Armiyah Johnson and the Burke sisters from lane 2. The group finished fifth with a time of 46.17 seconds, lowering their No. 2 mark on the VU all-time list. William Carey earned gold in a time of 45.07.
Jordyn Burke returned to the oval approximately an hour and a half later to compete in the 400 hurdles. The sophomore broke her own school record by nearly a second, clocking 1:00.81 to finish third overall. She finished behind only Olivet Nazarene's Hannah Antkoviak (56.71) and William Carey's Joy Abu (59.12) in claiming the bronze medal. Her previous PR was 1:01.78 at the April 14 Mt. SAC Relays.
The Burke sisters then teamed up with Elizabeth Betten and Brooke Dalgity in the penultimate event of the national meet. Betten and Dalgity ran the first two legs, with Jordyn Burke following and Eryn Burke running anchor. The quartet posted a time of 3:48.73 for fifth place overall. That time was good for No. 2 all-time in VU annals, just .33 off the school record accomplished a month ago at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championship.
The Lions picked up 14 points across the three events to finish in a tie for 18th place on the team leaderboard.
VU wrapped up an outstanding outdoor season in which the women established six school records.
What Was Said?: "Our six All-American women competed at a very high level today and we are so proud of them," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins. "They worked extremely hard all season for this moment and came through on the big stage. We give all the praise to God for this opportunity and for his favor."
