Thomas Hickerson stands atop the podium for a second straight year after winning the javelin competition at the NCCAA National Championships at Grace College Thursday. Teammate Abbott Joy, left, took second for the Lancers. (Photo by James Costello)

WINONA LAKE — Thomas Hickerson highlighted Thursday’s competition at the 2019 NCCAA National Championships for Grace’s track and field team.

Hickerson claimed the NCCAA national title in the javelin for the second straight year, launching 180-feet-7.

Abbott Joy was the national runner-up in the javelin to also earn NCCAA All-American status — he threw a personal best of 172’6” to place second in the nation.

Hickerson reaches back to throw Thursday.

William Shafer placed fifth in the discus at 142’8”, and Brooke Treadway was sixth in the women’s discus at 112’6”.

The Lady Lancers had two place in the women’s javelin. Emily Anderson threw 107’10” for a fifth-place showing, and Bethany Hoffman was seventh at 97’6”.

The men’s 4×800-meter relay ended the day, and the Lancers had a thrilling finish. Kyle Smith passed York (Neb.) on the final stretch of the anchor leg, helping Grace to a fourth-place finish by just two-hundredths of a second at 7:54.90. Other members of the relay include Brady Willard, Jonathan Balda and Brendan Hamilton.

The final day of the NCCAA Nationals is on Friday at Grace’s Key Track and Field Complex. Events will start at 11 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.