NAIA T&F Championships Begin Thursday
97 to Represent CCC at NAIA Track & Field Championships
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The 58th Annual Men's and 29th Annual Women's NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships are scheduled for May 21-23 at Ralph Korte Stadium at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in Edwardsville, Ill. It is the second-straight year that the event will take place at Ralph Korte Stadium. The St. Louis Sports Commission, Lindenwood University, McKendree University and Missouri Baptist University will join together to host the event.
The men's team from Azusa Pacific (Calif.) will look to defend its title from a year ago. In a tight team race in 2008, the Cougars rallied from a two-point deficit on the final day to win with 61 points, just three points ahead of runner-up Dickinson State (N.D.). Oklahoma Baptist placed third with 55 points, followed Doane (Neb.) at fourth place with 51 points and Concordia (Ore.) rounded out the top five with 47 points.
Of 24 events on the men's championship schedule, 15 of last year's winners return to defend their titles. Leading the pack in the distance events is Azusa Pacific senior Aron Rono. The senior will look to repeat in the 1500, 5,000 and 10,000 meters. In the 10,000 meters, Rono will be running for this fourth-straight crown. Already a five-time titlist, Rono could possibly become only the second male individual in NAIA history to capture eight career titles on the outdoor track.
Defending 100 and 200 meter champion Tyrell Cuffy of King College (Tenn.) is eyeing his third 200 meter title. Also on the verge of a three-peat is Illiyan Chamov of Lindenwood (Mo.) in the triple jump.
On the women's side, Wayland Baptist (Texas) will vie for its second-straight national team title. The Pioneers racked up 80 points to runner-up Simon Fraser's (B.C.) 69 points in 2008. British Columbia finished a close third with 66 points, followed by Azusa Pacific with 64 points. Oklahoma Baptist placed fifth with 51 points.
Ten women's individual champions from 2008 are back to defend their titles, including last year's Outstanding Performer and discus champ Annie Hess of Concordia (Ore.). Wayland Baptist's Kimberly Smith will look to repeat in the 100 and 200 meters. The sophomore currently owns the fastest times in both events.
Champions of the 400 and 800 meters, the 3,000-meter steeplechase and marathon, return to the competition field and will attempt to claim a first-place finish for the second year in a row. Senior Dallon Williams of California State San Marcos captured her first 3,000-meter steeplechase title in 2008 with a 10:18.96. Williams currently has a 13-second advantage to second-seeded Justyna Mudy, a freshman from Shorter (Ga.).
Also establishing an NAIA Championships best in 2008 was British Columbia's Liz Gleadle in the javelin throw with a mark of 165-9 to claim her first national crown. The junior is aiming to defend her title.
Both the Azusa Pacific men and the Wayland Baptist women captured the indoor titles back in March.
Action is scheduled to get underway on Thursday with the men's decathlon and women's hammer throw at 10 a.m. The women's 4x100 meter trials open the running events at 1 p.m. Friday's competition starts at 9:30 a.m. with the men's decathlon, followed by a 1 p.m. start for both the men's shot put final and the men's 110 meter hurdles semifinal. The championships conclude on Saturday with a full day of finals. The men's and women's marathon open the day at 6 a.m., and the men's pole vault finals follow at 12 p.m.
Three-day passes are available for $15. Daily tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for students with an ID and kids 7 and under are free.