GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Spring Arbor University senior Noah Haverdink hit the NAIA marathon "B" standard at the 4th Annual Q-Elite Fall Half Marathon in Grand Rapids, Michigan over the weekend to qualify for the 2015 NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Championships this spring.

It was a chilly 34 degrees for the race on Saturday, but the near-freezing temperatures were not enough to slow down Haverdink, who finished in sixth place in 1:13:21. Sophomore Daniel Garza narrowly missed qualifying after crossing the finish line in seventh place in 1:14:19 – just 19 seconds off the provisional mark. Rounding out the group was senior Tyler Babinec in eighth place with a time of 1:16:36.

Spring Arbor was not only represented well by its current student-athletes, but Bryan Burk – current head women's cross country and track & field coach – placed second overall with a time of 1:12:11, while SAU alumnus Jared Lauber followed close behind in 1:13:07, good enough for fourth place.

Additionally, fellow SAU graduate, NAIA national champion and U.S. Olympic Trial Qualifier Nathan Martin participated in the race, helping pace the Cougar contingent. Martin, the course record holder (1:04:16), finished the race in fifth place overall with a time of 1:13:21.

"It was a beautiful SAU reunion for our strong distance-running family," said SAU Director of Track & Field Jeremy Smith. "To have Nathan Martin, Bryan Burk and Jared Lauber supporting and encouraging their younger brothers was awesome to witness! It was also great to see three of our Crossroads League schools working together to hit the qualifying standard...a mutual camaraderie and respect that is incredible to see amid competitive sport."

The 64th Annual NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Championships will be held on May 21-23, 2015 at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

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