IWU Athletics

Women's Track and Field 5/21/2025 9:19:00 PM Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director

Olson becomes first NAIA All-America javelin thrower with DSU school record mark; Steins eighth in heptathlon

Olson makes history as the first javelin thrower to be All-American at Dakota State, shatters school record for the third time this season

May 21, 2025

MARION, Ind. – The athletes braved through poor weather conditions (chilly temperatures, high winds, and rain) as they kicked off the 2025 U.S. Marines NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship Wednesday. The three-day national meet was held at Wildcat Stadium for the third straight year, hosted by Indiana Wesleyan.

All three Dakota State (S.D.) made their first NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field national appearance – Amelie Steins, Gabriella Peitzmeier, and Casey Olson. DSU made a history on the first day of the national meet with their first javelin thrower to be named NAIA All-America with a new school record mark for the third time this season.

It marked the second straight season that the Trojans produced an All-America thrower at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships (Oliviyah Thornton in the hammer throw during the 2024 national meet).

Steins kicked off the national meet in the heptathlon. She clocked a time of 14.81 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles, scoring 867 points. She was the sixth fastest hurdler in the field of 16 heptathlon athletes.

Steins tallied 588 points in the high jump after clearing the height of 1.47 meters (4 feet, 9.75 inches). She added 531 points in the shot put after tossing 10.03 meters (32 feet, 11 inches) for the Trojans.

The final heptathlon on the first day was the 200-meter dash. The athletes ran in the 200-meter dash and were forced to run the 200-meter dash later in the day, despite with no time being recorded in the second heat (including Steins).

She closed the first day of heptathlon with a personal record 25.83 seconds for 812 points in the 200-meter dash. She posted the fifth fastest time in the field.

Steins places eighth in the heptathlon standings with 2,798 points for the Trojans. Mya Hines of Cumberlands (Ky.) leads the heptathlon with 3,084 points, followed by Kerrigan Myers of Midland (Neb.) second with 3,067 points, Abi Stevens of Southern Oregon third with 3,058 points, and Kaitlyn McColly of Dickinson State (N.D.) fourth with 3,058 points.

Peitzmeier started the afternoon session in the hammer throw for DSU. She threw 50.10 meters (164 feet, 4 inches) on her first attempt, followed by 43.90 meters (144 feet) on her second toss. She finished her third attempt with 50.26 meters mark (164 feet, 11 inches).

Peitzmeier did not advance to the final round after finishing 14^th overall in the hammer throw (50.26 meters – 164 feet, 11 inches).

Olson threw javelin in the evening session for the Trojans. She posted 37.65 meters (123 feet, 6 inches) on her first attempt and improved to 39.84 meters (130 feet, 9 inches) on her second attempt.

Olson, who was seeded No. 21 in the NAIA women's javelin before entering the national meet, advanced to the final round after throwing a new school record 41.97 meters (137 feet, 8 inches). She led after the first flight and finished sixth overall after two additional flights (27 total throwers in three total flights).

It was the third time this season that Olson shattered the DSU women's javelin throw record (40.99 meters – 134 feet, 6 inches at the Minnesota State Open on April 12, followed by 41.27 meters – 135 feet, 5 inches at the Drake Relays on April 23).

Olson began her final round with 39.56 meters throw (129 feet, 9 inches – fourth toss overall), followed by 39.98 meters (130 feet, 8 inches) on her fifth attempt. Her sixth and final attempt was recorded a mark of 39.01 meters (128 feet).

She finished sixth overall after the final round with her best mark of 41.97 meters (137 feet, 8 inches) for DSU.

Olson became the sixth athlete to earn the NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field All-America honor in program history at Dakota State (O. Thornton in 2024, Karen Mayfield in 2016, Laura Tewes in 2006 and 2007, Desa Rae Doyle in 2000 and 2001, and Marie Parker-Sample in 1997).

Dakota State scored three points after the first day of the national meet, tying for 20^th place with SCAD-Atlanta (Ga.) in the women's team standings. Taylor (Ind.) leads after the first day with 16 points.

DSU's Steins continue their action in the heptathlon on the second day Thursday, starting at 11 a.m. (Eastern Time)/10 a.m. (Central Time). She will compete in the long jump, javelin, and the 800-meter run.