EUGENE, Ore. - Towson University track and field senior Ksenia Safonova earned Honorable Mention All-America plaudits at the 2018 NCAA Division I Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by the University of Oregon at historic Hayward Field on Thursday.

Safonova finished 19th with a throw of 60.69 meters (199-1), the second-highest finish for a Tiger at the national championships. In 2008, Kelly Robinson placed 15th in the javelin with a throw of 44.36 meters (145-6).

Since 2011, First Team All-America honors have been bestowed upon the top eight finishers in each event while those who place ninth through 16th earn Second Team All-America honors.

"We are so proud of Ksenia's efforts this season as she represented Towson here at the NCAA championships," said head coach Mike Jackson. "It's a sign of progress and growth for our program. Thanks to Jeff Rebholz for doing a great job coaching her and all of our throwers. There's no better feeling than competing at NCAA. This is the start of something special here at Towson."

Safonova competed with 11 others in the first flight of the hammer throw and was in ninth place heading into the second flight. She was in eighth place after the first round following a mark of 59.39 meters (194-10) before slipping to ninth after the second round. She improved her mark to 60.69 meters (199-1) in the third round and remained in ninth heading into the second flight.

"I was thinking about my technique and trying to be relaxed and throw as far as I can," said Safonova. "Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a personal best today, but there was some strong competition and I am thankful that I was able to compete in this incredible environment with great athletes."

Safonova, who finished seventh in the hammer throw at the NCAA East Preliminary at the University of South Florida, is the third Tiger to qualify for the national championships. Kelly Robinson was a three-time qualifier in the javelin in 2004, 2005 and 2008 while Laura Passalacqua qualified in the high jump in 2007.

The program record holder in the hammer throw with a mark of 62.35 meters (204-7) which she at the ECAC Championships on May 12, she finished second at both the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championships and ECAC Championships this year and was a two-time qualifier for the NCAA East Prelims after transferring from Monroe College.

"I am thankful for a lot of things," added Safonova. "Firstly for my couches, their belief in me and the knowledge that I can take carry with me. My friendship with my teammates and their sense of family that wormed my heart and always supported me. I hope I made as good of an impact on them as they did on me. Now it is their time to shine and show what they are able to do!"