PELLA, Iowa (May 2, 2026) - Buena Vista freshman Hailey Hearting highlighted the final day for the Buena Vista women's outdoor track & field team at the 2026 A-R-C Championships with a runner-up placing in the javelin throw. As a team, the Beavers placed seventh with 24 total points.

A day after breaking a 37-year program record in the heptathlon, Hearting kept that momentum going on Saturday as she competed in the javelin. In what is arguably her best individual event, the first-year member recorded what went on to be not only her personal best heave of 40.63 meters on her final attempt, it also moved her into 29th on the national rankings list. The throw ended up being nearly nine feet further than any of her previous attempts on the day, and placed her second at the championships.

Junior Megan Bakke claimed 11th place overall in the 1500-meter run in 4:52.50 in what was a bunched up middle of the pack. She was only three seconds away from scoring team points. Senior Karley Ruiz-Genovese was right behind in a personal best time of 4:56.62.

Wartburg College rolled to the overall team championship with 268 points while runner-up Central College finished with 167.

The championships close out the season for the majority of the BVU athletes. A few select individuals are likely to compete at one or both of the upcoming Last Chance meets.