MARION, Ind. (May 24, 2012) - Oklahoma Christian freshman Katie Ostlund set a school record in the javelin and finished third on Thursday in the event at the NAIA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Ostlund, from Mount Hope, Kan., uncorked a career-best throw of 146 feet, 7 inches (44.69 meters) to break the former OC record of 141-2, set in 2003 by Dana Schafer.

Ostlund finished behind Stephanie Nelson of Baker (Kan.), who won with a throw of 149-6, and Jenna Higgins of Mount Mercy (Iowa), who had an effort of 148-5. Ostlund's third-place finish earned her All-America status and six team points.

"Katie just did a great job," OC head coach Randy Heath said. "I was a bit surprised. She was ranked ninth coming in and just had a great meet. She worked with (OC assistant coach) Jeff Bennett and the last two weeks of training got her over the hump. She got better and better coming into this meet."

Ostlund barely qualified for the nine-woman event finals, standing in ninth after her three preliminary throws. But on her second throw in the finals - her fifth of the day - she came up with the record-setting effort.

Ostlund is the eighth woman in OC track and field history to earn NAIA outdoor All-America honors, joining Peggy Murphy (1991 and 1993), Alicia Gunter (1999), Rachel Krause (2001), Crystalyn Starks Fillmore (2001 and 2002), Charlotte Heron (2007 and 2008), Nicole Lair (2009) and Denise Mattoon Greene (2009, 2010 and 2011).

Another OC freshman, Makenzie Brown, will compete in the discus on Friday. Three OC runners qualified for Saturday's NAIA marathon - Cady Block, Melyssa Cardenas and Erin Sesemann.