KINGSVILLE, Texas — Redshirt senior Johnathon Harper (Lorena, Texas) represented the Texas A&M-Kingsville track and field program on day one of the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, at Grand Valley State Track and Field Stadium in Allendale, Michigan on Thursday. 
 
Harper currently sits third after amassing 3,958 points through five events in the decathlon. The Lorena native opened the day with a time of 10.81 in the 100m dash affording him 903 points, Next, he reached 7.07m (23-2.50) in the long jump scoring 830, before placing second in the shot put, where he tossed the implement 13.61m (44-6) for 704 more. Harper gained 661 points thanks to a 1.84m (6-0.50) clearance in the high jump, prior to scoring 860 with a time of 49.03 in the 400m dash, closing out the inaugural day of the championships. 
 
The redshirt senior sits 59 points behind leader Nolan Churchman of Fort Hays State, while Angelo State competitor Elvis Kryukov holds second with 4,005 points. On the docket Friday, the decathletes will compete in the 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500m before a champion is crowned.
 
Also in action on Friday, senior Gertrudis Balli (Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico) will take on the discus, while classmate D.J. Delancy (Bethel Town, Jamaica) and junior Kimberly Ortolon (Edna, Texas) compete Saturday, with Delancy taking on the discus and Ortolon competing in the pole vault. 
 
A full recap following each day of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships can be found at javelinaathletics.com. To keep up-to-date with Javelina track and field, follow the program on Facebook at /JavelinaSports, Twitter @JavelinaTFXC, and on Instagram @JavelinaTFXC
 
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