POCATELLO, Idaho – Rico Pryor of the University of Providence track and field team qualified for the NAIA National Championships in the weight throw on Saturday at the Stacy Dragila Open.

Pryor recorded a mark of 16.48 meters, recording a new personal record, breaking his own school record and qualifying for the NAIA B standard. He finished fifth in the event, which featured several competitors from the NAIA, NCAA and junior college levels.

"I'm really proud of Rico," head coach Tony Arntson said. "He's been working extremely hard. He came here with a goal of qualifying for Nationals and he came out and did it. I'm super pumped for him."

Jillian Sanchez also continued her hot start to the season, finishing third in the women's weight throw with a mark of 16.42 meters. Allyson Conner finished 11^th in the event with a mark of 13.64 meters, while Kathryn Evans finished 16^th at 13.48, while also setting a personal record.

Evans also recorded a personal record in the shot put, finishing 9^th with a mark of 11.84 meters. Tatana Martinez finished 16^th (11.04 meters), Sanchez finished 17^th (10.6 meters) and Conner finished 19^th (10.52 meters).

"Overall it was a good meet," Arntson said. "Some of our field event kids struggled a bit in their first competition, but it was good to get them out there. We saw some high-level kids and it's always good to compete against that level of competition."

The team will compete again next weekend at the Washington State Invitational in Pullman, Wash.