Walker earns All-American status in 5k to highlight NAIA Championships

GULF SHORES, Ala. (May 28, 2021) – Ashley Walker of the Point University women's distance track team wrapped up her week at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships Friday evening by competing in the 5k and earning All-American honors with a seventh-place finish.

"I am extremely proud of how she performed all year, but especially this week," Head Coach Greg Mann said. "She had a difficult race in the 10k, but she regrouped and came away with an All-American in the 5k."

Walker begins week by competing in 10k

Walker competed in the 10k nightcap race Wednesday night to open the 41st annual women's national championships. She finished in ninth place out of 22 runners with a time of 36:51.26.

Emily Kearney of Milligan University won the 10k with a time of 34:07.91, setting a new NAIA championship record.

5k race; All-American honor

Walker went on to compete in the 5k prelim Thursday night and finished in second place with a time of 17:34.73, advancing to the final race on Friday. Walker's time of 17:26.06 Friday night earned her a seventh-place podium finish and the All-American title.

This is Walker's second All-American recognition this season, as she earned the status earlier this year after finishing in seventh place in the NAIA Cross Country National Championship race.

Walker is the first member of the Point women's cross country/distance track program to garner All-American status.