CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The reigning NCAA DIII Women's Hammer Throw Champion Emily Uitenbroek of Carroll University women's track and field had the opportunity to compete at the University of Illinois Illini Invite on Friday afternoon. Uitenbroek placed fifth in the hammer throw competition with a mark of 57.54 meters. Uitenbroek only placed behind four Division I throwers from Southern Illinois. 

Uitenbroek qualified for the finals after two throws of over 56 meters in her heat. After a foul on her first attempt in the finals, Uitenbroek hit her new season-best with the throw. Uitenbroek's distance ranks as the third-longest in Division III this season.