Vandemark Wins Hammer; Fulgencio, Kling, Newton Earn All-Conference Honors

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Graceland University women's outdoor track and field team recorded an individual title and multiple podium finishes at the 2026 Heart Conference Championships, led by Kady Vandemark's conference championship in the hammer throw and Ambar Fulgencio's second-place finish in the pole vault..

Vandemark secured the women's hammer throw title with a mark of 53.89 meters (176 feet, 10 inches), earning first place and First Team All-Conference honors. Vandemark, a senior from Norwalk, Iowa, has qualified for nationals in the hammer throw and will make her second consecutive appearance at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships later this month. Her performance marked the top throw in the field and accounted for Graceland's only event championship at the meet.

Vandemark added two additional All-Conference performances, finishing second in the shot put after tying for the top mark and placing second on tiebreak criteria, and second in the discus, earning Second Team All-Conference honors in both events.

Fulgencio recorded a tie for second place in the pole vault, clearing 2.93 meters (9 feet, 7.25 inches) to earn Second Team All-Conference honors. She scored 5.75 team points under tie-breaking procedures following a clean progression through the opening heights.

In the shot put, Hannah Kling placed fifth and Amanda Newton finished sixth, with both earning Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition.

Graceland's scoring production was concentrated in the field events, with performances in the hammer throw, shot put, discus and pole vault accounting for all team points.

Head coach Tom Shore commented on the team's performance.

"Kady's result in the hammer throw was a strong series and put her at the top of the field," Shore said. "Ambar, Hannah and Amanda all executed well in their events to contribute points. We will continue preparing for final qualifying opportunities."

Vandemark, who secured her national qualifying mark earlier this season, remains the only Graceland track and field athlete qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. She will compete in the hammer throw and enters as a returning All-American after placing fourth in the event last season.

Graceland will send select athletes to last-chance meets in the coming week for final opportunities to meet NAIA qualifying standards.

The NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships are scheduled for May 20-22, 2026, at Karl Straus Track in Asheville, North Carolina, where Vandemark will represent Graceland.

For more information on Graceland outdoor track and field and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.