MARION, Ind. – LC State Track and Field advanced to the final of three events after day one of the 2023 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Marion, Ind. The trio of Christian Bothwell, Justin Krabbenhoft and Caleb Moore got the meet started in the decathlon, while Ashley Britt, Ike Hopper and the men’s 4x800m relay earned spots in their event finals.
“Extremely pleased with our first day,” Head Coach Mike Collins said. “Whether it be competing with a chip on our shoulders due to not being ranked high in the fields, or with a ‘we’ve got nothing to lose’ attitude, regardless, it worked out well for most of our competitors.”
The men’s 4x800m relay team of Kobe Wessels, Conner May, Carter Gordon and Griffen Parsells finished sixth in the prelims with a massive school-record time of 7:37.81. They will race for All-American honors on Thursday.
The Warriors had a solid day in the 400m hurdles with both Britt and Hopper advancing to the final. Britt placed eighth in the women’s event with a time of 1:02.41, while Hopper broke his own school record in the men’s event with a time of 53.38 to place ninth in the prelims.
The top eight finishers in the event finals will earn All-American status.
After the first five events of the 10-event decathlon, Krabbenhoft leads the LC State trio in seventh place (3,523 points). Bothwell, historically stronger on day two, is 10th (3,453 points) and Caleb Moore sits 16th (2,855 points). The decathlon wraps up on Thursday.
“Multis started off great and I think set the tone,” Collins said. “As the only school in the field with three entries, we should feel good about how well rounded we should be with each guy making his teammates better due to strengths and weaknesses. Our coaches have been great at preparing them. I am excited to see both Christian and Justin finish out the day with both having a great shot at making top eight. Caleb is doing well, just off a little, but he is better on day two so hope to see him move up.”
Junior Kea Stieglitz finished 12th overall in the javelin throw with a mark of 40.81m. She was the lone field event in action. London Kirk placed 23rd in the 200m (21.45).
In distance events, Brooklyn Shell was 13th in the 1,500m with a time of 4:47.84. Chloe Overberg ran a time of 38:17.48 to take 22nd in the 10,000m.
“Finals for both of our 400m hurdlers, plus our 4×8 that crushed our school record yet again,” Collins said. “Brooklyn just missed the finals of the 1,500m and Chloe finished well above her ranking in the 10k. Both will be back next year. Some disappointment for Kea who has been an all-American the past two years. Conditions changed between her flight and the last one to more favorable for the later throwers and she just missed the finals. She will also be back next year.”
The men’s 4x100m relay team of Jedidiah Barnaby, Kirk, Jordan Castillo and Krabbenhoft finished 26th overall with a time of 41.55. The time is the second-best in program history.
UP NEXT
Action continues on Thursday with the conclusion of the decathlon. Sydnie Zywina will compete in the triple jump, while Madigan Kelly (100m hurdles), Griffen Parsells (800m), Kirk (400m) and women’s 4x400m relay will run in prelims. The men’s 4x800m final will also run on Thursday.
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