EMPORIA, Kan. – Ellen Merkley closed out her time at the NCAA Championships in 21st place in the women's long jump on Thursday night. 

The sophomore from Sioux Falls, S.D., was the lone Viking to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships as she took part in the women's long jump. Among the best competition in the country, Merkley recorded a 21st-place finish with a mark of 5.59 on her second attempt of the event. 

Merkley closed out her sophomore campaign having recorded three first-place finishes in the long jump during the outdoor season. She recorded a season-best mark of 6.07 back in April at the Red Raider Open.