Running Eagles Claim 2nd at NAIA Indoor Championships
Men's Track and Field / 03.05.23
BROOKINGS, S.D. — The Life University Men's Track and Field team ended their second indoor track season just moments away from claiming the NAIA Indoor Championship. Depite coming up just short In the four day event, three Running Eagles earned individual titles with more than 10 athletes receiving All-American honors.
Life U finished the day with a total team score of 40, runner-ups, as Southeastern claimed the team title with 45 points.
On the final day and event of competition, the championship was anyone's, as before entering the 4 x 400-meter relay national final, eight points separated first through sixth places.
Indiana Wesleyan held the lead with 37 points, followed by Southeastern (Fla.) with 35 points, Life U with 34 points, Keiser (Fla.) with 34 points, Dordt (Iowa) with 33.60 points, and Doane (Neb.) with 29 points. All six teams were part of the final event of the tournament, the 4x400 meter relay.
With the fastest NAIA 4 x 400-meter relay time this year, Life U was the favorite, and the team earned an early lead in the race through the first leg. Unfortunately, the Running Eagles' baton dropped on the first exchange, allowing Southeastern to overtake the lead and hold on to win the individual event title and the overall team championship.
Despite the heartbreaking result, the Running Eagles had an incredible showing as both yearly individual performance awards were presented to Life University athletes. First, Jacob Ulrich received the Men's Outstanding Performer award for his performance in the 600-meter run. His stellar time ties him for ninth in the world this year. Next, William Jones scored 20 points in the national meet after winning the long jump Friday and triple jump Saturday, leading to the Men's Most Valuable Performer award.
Vernord Burrows received All-American honors in the 400 Meter dash. The Running Eagles' Distance Medley Relay team of Sammy Samuel, Lance Wells, Abedelemejid Kerebo, and Joshua Wagner received an 8th place finish in the DMR, all receiving All-American honors. Lance Wells and Mark Morozov both competed in the finals of their events, with Wells earning 10th in the mile and Morozov leaping to 11th in the long jump and 17th in the triple jump.
Zach Weinstein competed in the weight throw, tossing a distance of 16.49m, good enough for 23rd.
The chance to win the championship was very real in the 4 x 400m dash, but as the baton fell, the Fire went on to claim their first NAIA Men's Indoor Track & Field Championship.
The championships conclude the indoor season. The Running Eagles will now refocus attention to the outdoor season. The first competition is just under two weeks away, March 18th, at the Emory Spring Opener.
