Grace Track Pair Earn All-American Status
MARION, Ind. – The Grace College track and field team achieved four school records and two All-American awards at the NCCAA Indoor National Championships.
The meet, held at Indiana Wesleyan on Friday and Saturday, saw Grace place seven events in the top-six in the nation.
Jamie Annis and Bennett Parker had top-three finishes to earn All-American status. Annis set a school record and finished third in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.00 seconds. Parker tied for third in the high jump by clearing 6-feet-2.
“I’m very happy for Jamie [Annis] as she’s been battling an injury, so running a PR and placing third was a great accomplishment,” said Grace head coach Jeff Raymond. “Bennett [Parker] was hoping to jump higher, but he did what he needed to do in order to place in the top three.”
The men’s 4×200 relay team of Cameron Johnson, Joel Zook, Jared Poorman and Austin Keisling set a school record and finished fifth in 1:32.25, and Johnson set a second school record during the prelims of the 60 hurdles (8.65 seconds).
Raven Arellano set the final program record of the weekend, breaking the 3000 mark with a time of 11:05.99.
Hannah Treadway narrowly missed All-American status, finishing fourth in the weight throw with a heave of 46-9. Paige Kindig had a ninth-place finish in the pole vault.
The men’s 4×400 foursome of Zook, Johnson, Poorman and Lance Taylor finished sixth, and the 4×800 team of Hunter Reed, Sam Hall, Matt Lee and Taylor ended in sixth.
Macallister Seitz had top-10 finishes in the shot put and weight throw, and Sam Hall was 10th in 800.
Additionally, Katelyn McCullough had an 11th-place showing in the mile run, and Poorman, Zook, KeJuan Leek and Nolan Miller all represented Grace in the 400.
“Despite holding out or limiting some athletes because of injuries, we competed very well and had several season bests,” Raymond continued. “Some of our young athletes got their first taste of a championship meet, and I’m pleased with how they performed. We’re looking forward to the outdoor season.”
Grace wraps up the indoor season on March 3-5 at the NAIA Indoor Championships. Annis will run the 60 hurdles, Jo Boren will tackle the 400, and Nathan Brown will compete in the heptathlon for the Lancers in Johnson City, Tenn.