Tweet #theGAC  PUEBLO, Colo. - Vlad Malykhin won his second national championship to highlight Harding's performances on Day 1 at the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championship. Malykhin cleared 5.45m/17-10.50 on his second attempt, securing the national championship and First Team All-America honors. He had previously won the indoor national championship, clearing 5.52m/18-01.25.

Senior Jonathan Wall cleared a PR of 5.05m/16-06.75 and finished 11th overall, earning Second Team All-America honors.

Junior Dakarai Bush broke his own school record in the 400-meter prelims with a sensational time of 45.70 seconds, the fastest among all qualifiers. Bush will compete in the final on Saturday at 7:25 p.m., aiming for further success.

Freshman Kelmen de Carvalho recorded PRs in the 100 meters, long jump and the 400 meters and ended Day 1 of the decathlon in ninth place of 15 competitors with 3,714 points. He also had the best mark of all competitors in the shot put. Day 2 of the decathlon begins Friday at 10:30 a.m. with the 110-meter hurdles.

Junior Tad Kirby represented Harding in the 100 meters, placing 19th with a remarkable time of 10.57 seconds, the fastest ever recorded by a Harding athlete at nationals.