EMPORIA, Kan. – For the second time in two days, Concordia University Irvine thrower Trey Vergenz showed why he belongs among the very best in the entire country.

And ultimately, why he is now a part of CUI track and field history.

Vergenz emerged as a Second Team All-American at the NCAA Track and Field Championships by finishing in 14th place in the shot put on Saturday. (Note: The top eight performers at the NCAA meet make First Team All-American, while ninth through 16th place earn Second Team honors)

Vergenz also finished 14th in the discus on Friday at the NCAA Meet – an event he won back-to-back PacWest Conference titles in the past two seasons.

A Mission Hills High School alum, Vergenz becomes the first CUI men's thrower to be named an All-American in the program's NCAA DII era.

He is also the first CUI men's track and field athlete to earn All-American status in multiple events in the same year since the school made the transition from NAIA to NCAA DII level. Former CUI teammate Dylan Fox is the only other men's track and field athlete in school history to be named All-Americans at the NCAA DII level.

"The experience was absolutely amazing," said Vergenz. "I couldn't thank my support system of teammates, coaches, trainer, and parents enough for their constant support this entire year. It was amazing to end this year on such a high note after a rough start. Being one of a few individuals competing in multiple throws events gives me the confidence that I deserve to be on that stage, and will definitely be back for more at home next year!"

"For Trey to be able to come in and finish higher than he was ranked coming in for the discus, and be able to solidify himself in the shot put in his first ever national championships, I thought it was just a spectacular result for him," said CUI head coach Keegan Bloomfield. "I know just that that he put in a lot of work to get to this point. I'm really happy and proud of him."

The junior from San Marcos, Calif. marked in all three tosses on Saturday and his third and final throw was his best. After pushing the shot put over 16 meters in each of his first two attempts, he cleared both with a mark of 17.22 meters. As competitors cycled in and out of the circle, he was as high as Top 5 in the standings before the dust settled. According to his TFRRS page, this was his third best outing in the shot put, behind his personal best of 17.81 meters that was set recently at the Franson Last Chance Meet.

"I am so proud to represent our institution and the values we abide by," added Vergenz. "They provide for us more than we could ever imagine, and to repay them by representing CUI athletically and individually to the highest of standards was a great honor. Without them, none of us would be able to succeed at the level we do. I take pride in wearing that uniform, and it's such a great feeling to be recognized as one of the top athletes in the nation."

A First For The Freshman

Olivia Holmquist also competed on the national stage on Saturday. The freshman from Kailua, Hawai'i already owns the school record in the high jump and amazingly qualified for NCAA Championships in her first season in Irvine.

Holmquist cleared the bar in the first round of jumps, flipping over the height if 1.62 meters successfully. The Kalaheo High School alum finished in 20th place and was one of only four freshmen competing in the high jump this week in Emporia.

CLICK HERE for LIVE RESULTS

The Fabulous Five Features Three All-Americans

Joining Vergenz and Homlquist this week were discus throwers Julia Pisenti and Tim Weller who were part of a strong performance during Friday's action. Pisenti joined Vergenz as a Second Team All-American in the discus on the women's side.

"For Olivia, what an incredible season to qualify for indoor and outdoor national championships as a freshman," said Coach Bloomfield. "She's just done so well this year, and then to watch Julia go out and compete at her first ever NCAA National Championships and bring home Second Team All-American, really, really proud of her."

"To watch Tim work so hard and and be so meticulous at practice over the last two years and for him to get his shot at the National Championship meet I'm really, really proud of Tim and thankful for everything that that he has done to get to this point in his athletic journey," added Coach Bloomfield. "He's always always doing everything he can to compete at the highest level."

Fellow freshmen Pierre Douat debuted as the first Golden Eagle competing this week and ultimately finished 15th in the decathlon. That means Douat was the third Concordia student-athlete to earn Second Team All-American status this week – and the first to do so ever in the decathlon at the NCAA Championships as well.

"I was really happy this week with our five athletes and how they showed up and competed at the National Championships," added Coach Bloomfield. "This group is really fun. We had a ton of fun this year and this coaching staff is tremendous. I'm really thankful to each one of the people that were on this trip."

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's track and field schedule

CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's track and field schedule