Results
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Lee University indoor track team placed an emphasis on the 800 meter distance at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Indoor Track and Field National Championships and is paid off in the end.
The teams combined for two NCCAA National Championship performances and 10 total spots on the NCCAA All-American teams (eight coming from the two relay teams).
The women's 4x800 meter relay team of Brianna Prugh, Emily Bryan, Jessica Childers and Cayce Bryan started the day with a second place finish. They posted a time of 9:35.25 and finished just behind Indiana Wesleyan University's mark of 9:31.52.
"Watching these girls run the 4x8 was a great reminder of the guts that we see in this team," said Lee head coach Caleb Morgan. "Watching them battle back from tenth to second was really enjoyable. Jessica ran a personal best and an awesome leg to really give Cayce a chance to bring it home. I can't say enough about her anchor leg and how much work she did to pull us first into All-American position and then into second place."
Not to be outdone, the men's team scorched the field in the men's 4x800 meter relay. The foursome of Justin Knuth, Terris Elliott, Adam Gullette and Emmanuel Kipchumba crossed the finish line three seconds ahead of runner-up Olivet Nazarene University (8:05.23).
"Terris got us off with a fantastic lead leg and we just kept rolling from there," said Morgan. "Justin kept us in lead with a strong second leg and Adam gave us a strong enough lead so that Emmanuel could run a relaxed leg and stay fresher for the open 800 later today. I'm really pleased and grateful to get my first national championship as a head coach. I just can't say enough about how strong those guys looked out there today."
The anchors of each relay team saw their own individual success. Cayce Bryan gave Lee its second national championship of the day with a time of 2:16.65 in the 800 meter run. Diandra Carstensen of Azusa Pacific University was second at 2:18.52.
"It's a big honor," said Bryan. "I tried to stay at the front of the pack and then the last 100 meters I was able to move into the lead. When I crossed the line it felt good to know that my hard work has brought me this far."
Kipchumba joined Bryan as a two-time NCCAA All-American with a third place performance in the men's 800 meter with a time of 1:57.54.
"It's a dream come true for me," admitted Kipchumba. "I've been working hard with my coaches and my teammates. I give credit to my teammates who work very hard. We've been pushing very hard and it's not been easy. I've always been talking about being an All-American and finally I have it. It's a privilege and I am so happy for it."
Garnering a seventh place finish was Camden Perez in the 3000 meter run. Perez posted a time of 8:48.94 to earn Lee two team points.
"Once again Camden grinded it out and ran a really smart, tough race to come in seventh place for us," said Morgan. "He's progressed as a racer all indoor season and I'm looking forward to seeing him roll on the outdoor track."
Ode Fulutudilu entered the final of the 60 meter dash with the 10th-fastest qualifying time. She improved her time from Friday night by 0.03 seconds to 8.11 and finished in eighth place.
"Ode getting eighth place was a huge bonus for us -- that's a point scored that we weren't counting on at all," said Morgan. "She's looking better every single race. Outdoor track is going to bring a lot of progression for her."
Joining Bryan in the women's 800 meter run were Storyie Miller (18th, 2:26.87), Emily Bryan (19th, 2:27.24), Emily Arnesen (27th, 2:31.03) and Prugh (31st, 2:38.40).
Elliott, Gullette and Knuth also ran in the men's 800 meter run. Elliott placed ninth (1:59.34), Gullette was 20th (2:02.27) and Knuth was 27th (2:06.69).
Childers finished 23rd in the women's one mile run with a time of 5:39.10. Keenen Hindes and Blake Smith participated in the men's one mile run. Hindes was 18th (4:46.44) and Smith was 19th (4:55.29).
A day after placing 11th in the 5000 meter run, Ashley Matthews took on the 3000 meter run and posted a time of 11:06.23 (22nd).
Seth Ruhling and Patrick Shultz joined Perez in the 3000 meter run. Ruhling crossed the finish line at 9:11.23 (19th) and Shultz was 27th (9:31.40).
Lee also had entries in the men's and women's 4x400 meter relays. The Lady Flames placed eighth with a time of 4:09.30, while the Flames finished 11th (3:32.19).
