MERIDA, Mexico – Jaylan Washington, Jacob Ludwick and Laurel Barber of the Ottawa University track & field team all earned medals representing Team USA at the 2022 FISU America Games in Merida, Mexico.

The Braves started strong on the opening day of track & field events, with Jacob Ludwick and Jaylan Washington earning silver medals in their respective events. Ludwick took second place in the men's javelin with a throw of 57.21m. The All-American's personal best came at last year's NAIA Outdoor National Championships, with a 60.88m throw that saw Ludwick finish fifth in the country.

Washington ran a personal best 10.51s that was just .06s off the OU record to earn a silver medal in the 100m, a strong showing for the multiple-time national qualifier. Washington's previous PR was 10.64 at last year's KCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. If Washington can keep consistent with those times, he will be a force to reckon with in the conference and nationally.

Barber competed on Saturday, finishing as the last Brave to earn a medal for Team USA. Barber beat her school record with a 44.97m throw to get the bronze medal in the women's javelin. Barber's previous best was 43.81m at the Southwest Baptist Invitational last season.

The Team USA Track & Field team was coach by Nick Dodson, and assisted by Ryan McKenzie of William Carey, Tom Shore from Graceland, and OU's own Steven Paternostro.