Mutchler’s Fourth-Place Finish Highlights Oilers on Day One of NCAA Indoor Championships

Virginia Beach, Va.- The University of Findlay track and field teams competed on the opening day of the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships on Friday, March 13 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, returning to the venue that previously hosted the championship in 2023. Findlay's day featured the final events of the weight throw and pole vault, while running events got underway with preliminary rounds.

The Oilers opened the day in the men's weight throw as senior Leyton Nossa made his second straight National Championship appearance. His top mark of 19.25m (63' 2") came on his first attempt, placing him 15th in the field of 18 competitors.

Findlay then turned its attention to the men's pole vault, where three Oilers competed in an event the program has long excelled in. The Oilers earned their first All-American honor of the meet as senior Alex Mutchler placed fourth. Mutchler cleared 5.16m (16' 11"), successfully hitting the bars at 4.86m (15' 11¼"), 5.01m (16' 5¼"), and 5.16m (16' 11") before missing all three attempts at 5.26m (17' 3"). The finish marks his second All-American honor in the event after also earning the distinction in 2024, and the height ranks as the sixth-best mark in program history. Freshman Evan Combs and junior Nate Buschur tied for eleventh both hitting marks of 5.01m (16' 5¼").

Junior Leah Smith got underway as she qualified for the finals in both the 60m and 200m. She qualified eighth in the prelims of the 60m with a time of 7.46. She also qualified fourth in the 200m with a time of 23.65.

Findlay will return to action tomorrow as they conclude the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships.

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Players Mentioned

Leyton Nossa: Throws; Senior; Throws

Leah Smith: Junior; Sprints

Evan Combs: Freshman

Alex Mutchler: Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Leyton Nossa
: Senior; Throws
: Throws

Leah Smith
: Junior; Sprints

Evan Combs
: Freshman

Alex Mutchler
: Graduate Student