DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle Track and Field junior Reta Woodard will make school history on Saturday, as she will become the first Eagle student-athlete to compete at the U.S. Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Woodard joins current pole vaulter Chris Harter and race walk participant Nicole Bonk, as well as assistant coach Crystal Bardge as ERAU representatives at U.S. national championships, with the previous three competing in the outdoor event.
 
Woodard qualified for the women's 20-pound weight throw after her NAIA-leading toss of 19.92m at the Jimmy Carnes meet on Jan. 27, 2013. Woodard is currently seeded seventh in the event and is set to throw on Saturday, Mar. 2 at 4 p.m. in Albuquerque, N.M.
 
“This is an opportunity to get more experience and gets my foot in the door for a career after school,” said Woodard. “I have great support this weekend and am excited to compete at both the NAIA National Championships with my team and at the U.S. Nationals where I have a chance to achieve my personal goals. It's a new experience, competing on back-to-back days, but I feel I'm well prepared and will be 100 percent at both events. I'm prepared mentally this season and I want to hit that 20m mark in competition.”
 
Woodard is also scheduled to throw at 4 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 1, in the weight throw event at the NAIA National Championships in Geneva, Ohio. She will be attempting to repeat as the NAIA National Champion in the event.
 
Coverage of the U.S. Indoor Track and Field National Championships will be on Universal Sports from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday night. For more information on the event, click here.