North Dakota State’s Akealy Moton qualified for the women’s shot put final and ultimately placed eighth, leading a trio of Bison women’s track & field athletes competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Thursday.

Moton registered a top throw of 58-08.75 (17.90m) on Thursday night to finish eighth, coming within nine inches of the NDSU school record she set placing third at the NCAA Outdoor Championships earlier this month.

The West Fargo product threw 57-01.50 (17.41m) in the qualifying round earlier on Thursday afternoon, securing a spot in the top 12 to compete in the shot put final.

A pair of sixth-year seniors concluded their NDSU careers as well at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Thursday. Shelby Gunnells finished 16th in the shot put qualifying round, throwing 55-09.25 (17.00m). Maddy Nilles finished 15th in the hammer throw with a mark of 217-5 (66.28m). The top 12 advanced to the finals.