GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Spring Arbor University track and field program concluded its season at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships on Friday.
Five Cougars competed at the national meet, which was held at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama –
Emily Westrick,
Tommee Smith,
Timothy Nelson,
Gary Richardson and
Dean Reynolds.
DAY 1 RESULTS
- Spring Arbor was set to compete in the men's 4x800 meter relay and the women's 10,000 meters on Wednesday, but lightning in the area postponed the meet and forced those events to be pushed to Thursday.
DAY 2 RESULTS
- Weather continued to play a factor through the early afternoon on Thursday as the men's 4x800 prelims raced through the rain. The Cougars' relay team, comprised of Smith, Nelson, Richardson and Reynolds, was unfazed by the elements, however, turning in a season-best time of 7:41.57 – the fastest SAU time in the event since 2004 and the fourth-best performance in program history. The Cougars finished fifth in their heat and 15th overall.
- The rain had cleared by the time it was Smith's turn to run in the 800 meter prelims. Smith was seeded 16th entering the event, but ran the race of his life, outperforming the rankings and crossing the finish line in a personal-best 1:51.85 – the fifth-best performance in SAU history. The Sparta, Michigan native finished third in his heat and recorded the seventh-fastest time in the prelims, but narrowly missed qualifying for the event finals finishing in ninth place overall.
- Westrick capped off the day for Spring Arbor running in the 10,000 meters under the lights. The junior finished her incredible season with a 16th place finish and a time of 38:17.45.
Life University was crowned the men's national champion after edging out Southeastern University. The Running Eagles finished with 52 total points while the Fire had 47.
The University of British Columbia ran away with the women's title. The Thunderbirds amassed 138 points ahead of second place Indiana Tech's 94.
