GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Minot State's Leif Nelson ended his first trip to nationals with honors on Saturday.

The Beaver sophomore thrower from Devils Lake, N.D., turned in one of his best efforts of the spring with a throw of 207 feet, 11 inches to finish 12th in the javelin at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships hosted by Grand Valley State and earn USTFCCCA Second Team All-American honors. 

Nelson's throw was his second-best of the season as he qualified for nationals with a new all-time Minot State record effort of 210 feet, 1 inch earlier this season.

Along with earning All-American honors and setting a new school record in the javelin, Nelson also earned All-NSIC honors earlier this month finishing third in the javelin at the NSIC Championships.

Freshman Jordan Davis from Southern Connecticut State won the national title in the javelin with a throw of 238-0.