Concordia's Greg Schultz Runner-Up at NAIA Indoor Track Championships
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – With a 60 foot, 5 3/4 inch toss in the weight throw, Concordia’s Greg Schultz finished in second place at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships held at the Memorial Center.
With his effort, Schultz collected his third overall NAIA All-American honor and became the first indoor track & field All-American for the Cavaliers
A two-time outdoor All-American in the hammer throw, Schultz took a temporary lead in the weight throw with his second throw of the day. Schultz led the event through the fourth throw of the competition as Hastings Scott VanCura unleashed a 60-8 3/4 toss to move to the top of the leaderboard.
The duo were the only two to crack the 60-foot barrier as Tyg Long of Black Hills State placed third with a 59-10 1/4. Also competing for the Cavs, Jeremiah Drelleshak finished in 14th place with a mark of 52-0.
“Greg had an outstanding start and from there he was able to push the limit to go for another big throw,” Concordia head coach Randy Dalzell said.
Advancing to Saturday’s finals, Tim Badley earned an automatic qualifier with a time of 15:12.49 to finish in second place in the first heat of the 5,000-meter run.
“Tim took control when he needed to and easily advanced. He ran very relaxed and is peaking at the right time,” Dalzell said.
Badley was edged by Cornerstone’s Sammy Maiyo (15:11.94) in the heat, and will hold the fourth seed in the finals behind the other two heat winners. Evans Kiptoo of Lindenwood was the first to finish in the second heat with a 15:20.10 and Noah Too crossed first in the third heat with a 15:14.59.
Badley, Stephen Marshall will compete in the triple jump and Seth Cordell in the pole vault to round out Concordia action at the 2007 Indoor Championships.
In only its third year of existence, the Concordia University track & field program has produced 16 NAIA All-American performances: four in three years of indoor nationals and 12 in two seasons at the outdoor championships.
Concordia Results
Men: 5,000: (Heat 1, Prelims) Tim Badley, 15:12.49. Weight Throw: 2. Greg Schultz, 60-5 3/4 (18.43m); 14/ Jeremiah Drelleshak, 52-0 (15.85m).