Feb. 20 -- MITCHELL -- A pair of throwers will represent Dakota Wesleyan University track and field at the NAIA national indoor championships at the end of the month in Gainesville, Florida.

The DWU women are represented by repeat national qualifier Abby Magnuson in the shot put, while freshman thrower Ethan Watson was a qualifier in the men's shot put. The national qualifiers were announced on Thursday to set the championship field.

A native of Buxton, North Dakota, Magnuson is now a four-time national qualifier, including qualifying for the NAIA indoor meet for the second time. Her top throw of the season came in a winning effort on Feb. 1 in Mitchell at the DWU Alumni Open with a top throw of 45 feet, 10 inches. That ranks 10th-best this season in the NAIA. Recently, Magnuson was fifth at the GPAC championships on Feb. 15.

During last season's outdoor national meet, Magnuson finished fifth in the shot put to take All-America honors. Last March, Magnuson took 10th place for the Tigers at the NAIA national indoor meet.

Watson, a freshman from White River, has a top throw of 52 feet, 3.25 inches this season, set on Feb. 1 at the DWU Alumni Open. That mark is 27th among the national qualifiers to the indoor championships. Watson won the South Dakota Class B boys shot put title in 2024 for White River.

The three-day national meet takes place at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center at Celebration Pointe in Gainesville, Florida, from Feb. 27 to March 1.