By: Erin Madden

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Baldwin Wallace University junior All-Ohio Athletic Conference and Academic All-OAC distance runner Alyssa Laughner (Howard, Pa./Central Mountain) earned her first career All-American honor at the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by North Carolina A&T State University and the Greensboro Sports Foundation at the Irwin Belk Track. 

Laughner finished eighth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals in a time of 11:13.24 to earn her first career All-America honor. She is the fourth Yellow Jacket to earn All-American honors in the steeplechase, the first since Kim Chinn won the event in 2011. Laughner entered the championships ranked fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. 

This outdoor season, Laughner earned her first career U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Great Lakes Region honor in the steeplechase and also won the OAC title in the event. This was her second appearance at a national track meet after placing ninth in the steeplechase as the top freshman at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships. 

The Yellow Jackets will conclude the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Saturday, May 29, when senior All-OAC and Academic All-OAC thrower Brooke Buckhannon (Collins/Western Reserve) and freshman All-OAC distance runner Hope Murphy (Mogadore) will compete in the hammer throw and the 1,500-meter run finals, respectively.