MARION, Ind. — Culver-Stockton College sophomore Delaney Straus began her quest for an NAIA championship in the heptathlon on day one of the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Wednesday at Wildcat Stadium on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

Straus, of Philadelphia, Mo. (Marion County HS), concluded the first day of the seven event heptathlon in 16th place among the 16 participants with a total of 2,641 points.

Straus began the day by setting a personal best in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.69 seconds, finishing 14th overall. She followed that up with a 16th place finish in the shot put (29 feet, 2 inches), 14th in the high jump (4 feet, 11 1/4 inches), and eighth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.12 seconds.

Straus is slated to complete the three other events Thursday morning beginning at 11 a.m. (EDT). She begins with the long jump, javelin and 800-meter run. Additionally, Straus is scheduled to compete in the regular 800-meter run at 2:30 p.m. 

The Wildcat women will have three athletes competing Thursday on day two of the championships. In addition to Straus, graduate student Allison Morris, and junior Faith Younce are set to compete in the 5000-meter race walk.