IW track secures 7 All-NSAA Awards

BROOKINGS, S.D. — On Sunday, the Iowa Wesleyan men’s and women’s track and field teams made the trip north to compete in the 2023 North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Indoor Track and Field Championships.

It was an eventful day for the Tigers as they picked up seven All-NSAA awards.

In the women's heptathlon, a trio of Tigers scored in the event. Izela Avalos finished 5th with a total score of 2055 to give the Tiger women four team points. Ayana Lewis finished 7th with a total score of 1679 to give the Tiger women two more team points. Teya Hawkins finished 8th with a total score of 858 to give the Tiger women one more team point for a total of 7 in the event.

Shermaine Preston placed 6th in women’s triple jump with a jump of 32' 3.5" to give the Tiger women three team points.

In the men's triple jump, Daron Jackson placed 2nd with a jump of 43' 2.5." This earned him All-Conference honors and gave the Tiger men eight team points. This jump placed Jackson at 4th all-time in school history.

KeRon Blackwell was the conference champion in men’s high jump and earned All-Conference honors with his leap of 6' 7," winning the meet by two inches. He is the first Tiger men's conference champion since 2011. His victory gave the Tigers 10 team points.

In the women's shot put, Bri Hunter earned All-Conference honors with her 2nd place finish to give the Tiger women eight team points. Her throw of 45' 1.75" broke her own school record and gave her a new lifetime best. Jobey Malone finished 4th with a throw of 38' 9.5" to give the Tiger women five more team points, totaling 13 team points in the women's shot put for the Tigers.

In the men's shot put, Sven Gredelj placed 7th with a throw of 46' 1.25" to earn two points for the Tiger men. That throw was good for number nine all-time in school history.

The NSAA honored the Champions of Characters from the conference midway through the meet. Faith Younce and Jakim Brock were the nominees from the Tiger track and field team.

Lilly Garnsey placed 6th in the women’s 5,000-meters a time of 20:13.02 to give the Tiger women three team points.

In the men's 5,000-meter, Logan Lucas placed 7th in a time of 16:26.52

In the women's 4x800 meter relay race, the team of Ayana Lewis, Emily Gehring, Izela Avalos, and Allison Morris placed 5th in a time of 12:00.64 to give the Tiger women four team points.

In the men's 4x800 meter relay race, the team of Kenny Tucker, Marlon Brown, Leonel Cuellar, and Cody Welch placed 6th in a time of 8:49.49 to give the Tiger men three team points.

In the men's 60 meter hurdles, Jabez Rivers made the final and then placed 8th in a time of 9.72 for one Tiger men's team point.

In the men's 600-meter race, Jabez Rivers placed 6th in a time of 1:25.08 to give the Tiger men three team points. That time is good for number four all-time in school history.

Daron Jackson placed 5th for the Tigers in the 400-meter dash in a time of 51.38 to give the Tiger men four team points. This time is good for number two all-time in school history.

In the women's 3,000 meter race, Lilly Garnsey placed 5th in a time of 11:40.70. That gave the Tiger women four team points.

In the women's 4x400 meter relay race, the team of Grace Willms, Emily Gehring, Allison Morris, and Faith Younce placed 6th in a time of 5:10.03 to give the Tiger women three team points.

The men's 4x400 meter relay race, the team of Angel Lottie, Judah Rivers, Jabez Rivers, and Daron Jackson rebroke the school record with their 2nd place time of 3:27.37. This earned them All-Conference honors and gave the Tiger men eight team points.

The Tiger women finished 5th as a team with 37 points, improving 16 points from last year. Dickinson State University was the women's team champion.

The Tiger men finished 6th as a team with 41 team points, improving 18 points from last year. Dakota State University was the men's team champion.

The Tigers will be back in action at the 2023 NAIA Indoor Track and Field on March 2-4 in Brookings, South Dakota.