BROOKINGS, S.D. – LC State added a pair of All-American titles to the trophy case and four individuals advanced to Saturday’s event finals on day two of the 2024 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Both Warrior 4x800m relay teams placed in the top eight to earn national honors while LC State dominated in individual 800m runs.
“Pretty good day ending with both relays earning All-American status,” Head Coach Mike Collins said. All of our 800m runners making it to the final is awesome. Excited for that tomorrow.”
A pair of local products set LC State records in their events, with London Kirk (Deary) in the 400m and Emily Collins (Lewiston) in the 600m. Kirk will race in the 400m final on Saturday after a successful protest in his race.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warrior women’s 4x800m relay squad of Grace Tiegs, Aubree Williams, Brooklyn Shell and Geraldin Correa held a spot in the lead pack throughout each leg of the relay. A strong start by Tiegs was carried on by Williams and Shell before Correa closed out the race in third place with a time of 9:14.27. The third-place finish is the highest for any women’s relay, indoor or outdoor, in program history.
The men’s relay team of Conner May, Cooper Carlson, Griffen Parsells and Carter Gordon placed eighth in the nation in the relay with at time of 8:07.29. LC State struggled out of the gate but maintained its composure to finish out the race as one of the top teams in the NAIA.
LC State’s individual 800m runners went three-for-three in the prelims with all three advancing to the event finals on Saturday. Correa ran the second-fastest time in the women’s prelims (2:15.54), as did Gordon on the men’s side (1:54.06). Parsells was eighth in the men’s prelims (1:54.32) and will race again on Saturday.
Kirk and Collins each set LC State records in their outings and both placed 10th in their events. Kirk ran a time of 48.04 in the 400m and Collins crossed the line in 1:35.78 in the 600m. Kirk’s race was protested due to interference by another runner. The protest was upheld and Kirk will join the final group that will now feature two heats.
Jennah Carpenter continued her weekend with a strong finish in the long jump. The junior placed ninth in the event after advancing to the finals. She hit a mark of 5.52m and Sydnie Zywina was 20th (5.22m).
Jedidiah Barnaby became the first Warrior, male or female, to run the 60m dash at nationals. He ran a time of 7.00 to finish 36th.
UP NEXT
The Warriors will compete in six event finals on Saturday. LC State will be in action in the men’s and women’s triple jump, women’s high jump, men’s 400m and men’s and women’s 800m. A schedule will be posted on the LC State Warriors Facebook on Saturday morning.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.