Sioux Center, Iowa – The Dordt University men’s and women’s track and field as well as cross-country programs have been honored by the NAIA as one of the top programs in the nation.
The Dordt University men’s cross country and track and field programs were recognized as being among the NAIA’s best based on the final standings of the Jack Hazen Program of the Year Award compiled by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA).
The USTFCCCA Jack Hazen Program of the Year Award honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons) based on the institution’s finish at the NAIA Championships.
In order to be eligible for the award, teams must qualify for each of the NAIA Championships. Scoring is based on the team’s finish at each NAIA Championship in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field (i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points … 31st = 31 points) with the lowest total score for all three championships combined determining the award winner. Ties among schools split points for positions taken.
Dordt accounted for 100.5 points and placed 16th in the final standings, one of two teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) to finish among the top 20 (Doane – 7th). The Defenders recorded a top 25 finish in both the cross country (25th) and indoor track and field (11th) championships.
Cumberlands (Ky.) owned the top spot in the final standings with 11 points, edging out second place Marian (Ind.) by a mere four points. Milligan (Tenn.), Carroll (Mont.) and Indiana Wesleyan complete the top five.
Three Defenders took home All-American honors as an individual while Dordt’s 4×400 relay (indoor) and 4×800 relay (outdoor) claimed the national honor this past year.
The Dordt University women’s cross country and track and field programs were recognized as being among the NAIA’s best based on the final standings of the Fred Beile Program of the Year Award compiled by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA).
The USTFCCCA Fred Beile Program of the Year Award honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons) based on the institution’s finish at the NAIA Championships.
In order to be eligible for the award, teams must qualify for each of the NAIA Championships. Scoring is based on the team’s finish at each NAIA Championship in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field (i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points … 31st = 31 points) with the lowest total score for all three championships combined determining the award winner. Ties among schools split points for positions taken.
Dordt totaled 55.5 points and placed ninth in the final standings, best among teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). The Defenders finished among the top 25 in all three championships, placing 11th in cross country, 20th at the indoor championship and 22nd at the outdoor event.
Taylor (Ind.) claimed the Program of the Year award with 13 points, followed by Cumberlands (Ky.), The Master’s (Calif.), Montreat (N.C.) and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.).
Four Defenders took home All-American honors in an individual event while the 4×800 relay claimed the national honor at both the indoor and outdoor championships. In addition, the Defenders 4×800 relay team won the Drake Relays title last April on the Blue Oval.
KIWA Staff Photo
