Bethel, MCC counterparts set for NAIA Nationals

[bluestreak]

NAIA national track and field championships action starts tomorrow at the IWU Track and Field complex. Bethel qualified a total of 30 athletes, 18 women and 12 men to take part in this years meet. The Pilots have athletes ranked in the top ten in 11 different events, and 4 more events in the top 15.

Taylor will have several events competing with high rankings as their mens steepler is ranked 6th, there mens 4x400 relay is top 15, and the returning Long Jump national champion Scott Gill is competing in the Long Jump and High Jump.

IWU doesn't have as many bodies as usual but do have a top ten womens relay, in their 4x100m relay, a top 15 womens relay in the 4x800, and several top 15 womens distance runners in several different races. They also have the number 3 and 4 ranked 100m and 200m runner in the country on the womens side. Also look for their mens 4x800 to have a good championship showing.

Lastly SAU and Marion have some highly ranked distance runners so look for them to represent the MCC with a strong showing as well.

IWU athletic website will have live video and updates on their athletic site, as will the NAIA site. Ill try update after Im done coaching each day.

[foresterpride]

USF Marqueling decisively repeated as a hammer throw All-American after finishing second last year. This time she won with an effort of 183-6 or 55.94 meters. That was basically 11 feet more than runner-up Angela Krausz of Lindenwood (172-10). Oklahoma Christian’s Denise Mattoon, the No. 1 seed entering the event, was third at 172-7.

[foresterpride]

The MCC continues its dominance in the Long Jump.
Last years NAIA Champ Scott Gill-fouled out without a mark. But IWU's Thomas Collet captured the title this year with a jump of 24-11.75, while Bethel's JW Maierle finished 6th with a jump of 23-11.

[foresterpride]

Attended NAIA Track Nationals at IWU on Saturday. Awesome. They did a wonderful job. It appeared that Bethel did well with a large contingent, JJ Jackson placed 5th or 6th in the Shot, not sure how they did as a whole.

But the weekend was excellent and once again reminded me why the NAIA is so unique.

[bluestreak]

It was a great weekend! IWU did a great job of hosting, and as usual the NAIA did a great job running the meet, all three days. There were several highlights from the MCC schools including the above mentioned Thomas Collet foot and a half Personal Best to win the Long Jump, after being tied for the 9th and final spot with 3 other men just to get into the finals!

Bethel ended up with 6 All-American events, the most ever before that at one NAIA was 3. As stated above JJ Jackson was 6th in the Shot Put, and JW Maierle continued his NAIA success with a 6th place finish this year. Also, Nicole Arnold was 3rd in the Shot Put, and 2nd in the Discus. Irene Kangai was 2nd in the 400m hurdles and the Womens 4x400 relay was 6th. In addition 8 school records were broken, and the women scored 25 points. We were/are very proud of all 30 of our participating athletes.

encourage people to check out the NAIA website if interested in full results as Bethel and other MCC schools had several athletes make semi-finals, finals, and All-American (top 6) in several events.

[cowboy]

and the Lady Pilots were 5 points from being in the top ten