BROOKINGS, S.D. – Carter Gordon became the fourth different Warrior to win an individual national title in indoor men’s track and field on Saturday to highlight the final day of competition at the 2024 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. The junior from Coeur d’Alene showed off his closing speed to win the second 800m national title in program history.
The Warriors ended the day with six All-American honors for a total of 15 on the weekend. Four LC State student-athletes earned two All-American accolades each during the meet.
“Wow! What else can you really say?” Head Coach Mike Collins said. “Wow. A great national championship for us for both the men’s and women’s teams. Outstanding performance. I could not be prouder. And have to add that we had a number of athletes that just missed the finals by a spot or two. I know they will be motivated to improve upon that. We talked about how sometimes when you fall, you have to bounce and bounce even higher trying to achieve a bar that only a big bounce can give you. I trust that my athletes that were short of their goals are going to bounce and bounce high.”
Both LC State teams finished 14th overall in fields of more than 50 teams.
“Fifteen All-Americans is an all-time high for us at a single championship,” Collins added. “Plus adding another national champion is icing on the cake. Going to take some time to relax and reflect then begin the bounce.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Gordon showed off his kick in the final meters of the 800m run. The junior was in the middle of the pack for most of the race before passing the group in the final strides to join Clayton VanDyke as the only two Warrior men to win titles at the distance. Gordon ran the second-best time in school history at 1:51.00.
Griffen Parsells also put together a strong race in the 800m after both he and Gordon helped the 4x800m relay team to an All-American finish on Friday. The junior from Germany placed 6th with the third-best time in LC State history (1:53.78).
Geraldin Correa started the 3-for-3 day for the Warriors in the 800m with her eighth-place finish. She earned her second individual honor of her career after running the anchor leg of the third-place All-American 4x800m relay on Friday. She crossed the line in 2:18.87 in the final on Saturday.
Deary product London Kirk legged out a school-record and All-American finish in the 400m. An All-American in the outdoor event last season, Kirk placed fourth on Saturday with a LC-best time of 47.33.
Jennah Carpenter earned her second All-American title of the weekend with a fifth-place finish in the high jump. She cleared a height of 1.71m to add to her honor in the pentathlon earlier this week. The Lewiston native now has five All-America accolades to her name.
Orofino’s Sydnie Zywina earned her first national honor with an All-American finish in the triple jump. She advanced to the finals and reached a mark of 11.94m to place sixth in the field.
Sophomore Trenton Johnson was also in action for his first indoor national event as an individual. He placed 13th at 14.48m.
UP NEXT
LC State starts the outdoor season on March 16 at the Sam Adams Classic on the campus of Whitworth University.
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