LA CROSSE, Wis. – The UW-River Falls track and field teams sent a small group of athletes to the Final Qualifier hosted in La Crosse on Thursday afternoon, making one final push for qualification into the NCAA Outdoor Championships next weekend. 

Leading the way for the Falcons was Tyler Parker in the men's 800-meter run. Parker placed fourth overall with a time of 1:52.15, another top three all-time program mark. Parker will now await the release of the NCAA national field to determine if he will run at the nationals.

In the men's high jump, Yaih Marial cleared 1.99 meters to finish third overall. Despite another strong day, Marial's season will come to a close just outside of national qualifying position.

Annika Gunderson competed in the women's pole vault, clearing 3.56 meters. Gunderson remains in contention for a national championship berth and will await final NCAA selections. In the women's discus throw, Maleah Petersen posted a toss of 44.17 meters to place sixth overall. The mark moved Petersen into sixth place all-time in program history. 

The 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships will take place next week, May 21-23, back in La Crosse. Final national selections are expected to be announced in the coming days.