Brookings, S.D – The Dordt University men’s track and field team won a pair of national titles and finished as the national runner-up as a team to highlight a thrilling final day at the 2024 NAIA Indoor National Championships held at the Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, S.D.
Fromer George-Little Rock Mustang Payton Mauldin won a individual championship with a record-breaking run in the 600 meters for the Defenders, Dordt University’s first individual title this past Saturday.
Later, and needing a first or second place finish in the 4×400 relay to secure a top three finish as a team, Mauldin, Levi Schelhaas, Noah Schroder and Cole Zevenbergen delivered in historic fashion as the quartet crossed the finish line first to take home gold.
The Defenders totaled 41 points and finished second overall among the 117 teams represented at the championship, edging out Marian, Indiana, by 1/2 point. This was the second runner-up finish by Dordt (2021) and its third time on the podium (top 3 finish) at the indoor championship. Cumberlands, Kentucky, (won the team title with 80 points while William Carey. Mississippi, and Texas Wesleyan rounded out the top five teams.
