May 23, 2009

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – For the second year in a row, the Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) men and the Wayland Baptist University (Texas) women have swept their ways to NAIA national championships in both indoor and outdoor track and field. The programs each locked up their second consecutive outdoor crowns with winning efforts at the 2009 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, which concluded Sunday at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Ill.

In men’s competition, Azusa Pacific held the lead all three days, but had to hold off challengers on the final day to extend their NAIA record for outdoor national titles to 15. The Cougars finished the event with 80 points, which was nine points better than runner-up Dickinson State University (N.D.) with 71 points. Oklahoma Baptist University and Concordia University (Ore.) tied for third place as each scored 51.5 points.

“We learned to never take these for granted,” said Azusa Pacific head coach Kevin Reid, who was named the NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year following the meet. “Each championship is different. I look at the guys and see them in the moment and it re-energizes me. I think this is one of the strongest teams in my time here. We covered a lot of bases and finished on top in a lot of events.”

Wayland Baptist took a 10-point lead into the final day of competition, but pulled away on Saturday thanks to pair of victories by Purity Biwott in the 800- and 1,500-meter run, a triumph by Kimberly Smith in the 200-meter dash, and a first-place finish in the 4 x 100-meter relay. The Pioneers ended the meet with 102 points, well ahead of second-place Oklahoma Baptist University, which posted 58 points. Lindenwood University (Mo.) was third with 52 points.

“I couldn’t ask for a better weekend from our team,” said Brian Whitlock of Wayland Baptist, the 2009 NAIA Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. “We scored 102 points with seven women, and that’s pretty special. Our sprints, jumpers and our distance runners all performed very well. I can’t single out any one performer. It was a team effort.”

Ramon Miller from Dickinson State University was honored as recipient of the men’s Outstanding Performer Award. Miller earned a national title in the 400-meter dash with a time of 45.43 seconds. He also ran the lead-off leg in the 4 x 100-meter relay and anchored the Blue Hawks’ 4 x 400-meter relay team that each captured a national championship.

Justyna Mudy from Shorter College (Ga.) took home the women’s Outstanding Performer Award. Mudy set a new record in winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Mudy’s time of 10:12.31 was more than six seconds better than the previous mark.

The women’s Most Valuable Performer Award was presented to Natasha Miller from Biola University (Calif.). Miller scored 30 points in the meet, including victories in the women’s heptathlon as well as the high jump. Miller also took third place in the 100-meter hurdles and fifth in the triple jump.

Earning the Most Valuable Performer Award on the men’s side was Tyrell Cuffy from King College (Tenn.). Cuffy totaled 21.25 points for the Tornado as he defended his individual titles in the 100- and 200-meter dash. He also was on King’s eighth-place 4 x 100-meter relay squad.

Black Hills State University (S.D.) began the day by becoming the first school in 11 years to sweep the men’s and women’s marathon in the same year. Trent Waage took the men’s crown in a time of 2:28.27 for the Yellow Jackets. Wendy O’Lexey brought home the women’s marathon championship with a time of 3:01.49. Lindenwood was the last school to sweep the marathon in 1998. In fact, this is only the third time in NAIA history the feat has been accomplished.

Oklahoma Baptist won its fifth consecutive women’s 4 x 400-meter relay title. The Bison cruised to victory in 3:34.99. There was also a repeat winner in the men’s 4 x 400-meter relay as Dickinson State captured its second straight championship.

In all, there were 11 repeat national champions on the day. Heading the list was Azusa Pacific senior Aron Rono, who earned his second straight title in the men’s 1,500-meter run. It marked the seventh individual national crowns for Rono, making him one of just four people to win at least seven NAIA championships.

Wayland Baptist’s Kimberly Smith, who won her second straight 100-meter dash championship on Friday, followed it up by defending her title in the women’s 200-meter dash on Saturday. As she did on Friday, Smith held off a challenge from McKendree’s Lanece Clarke and Shelinda Brackett down the stretch.

For a complete list of winners from the 2009 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Track and Field National Championships, please visit the NAIA website at www.naia.org.

NAIA RECORDS BROKEN – DAY THREE
Women:
3,000-meter steeplechase -- Justyna Mudy -- Shorter College (Ga.) -- 10:12.31