SIX ALL-AMERICANS GIVE PILOTS GOOD START AT NCCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Bethel College Pilots men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams came out firing on Day One of the NCCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships with big performances in the men’s pole vault, women’s 10,000m, and women’s 4x800m relay to give the Pilots momentum heading into Day Two action on Friday. Six Pilots earned All-Americans and the men sit tied for third place overall, while the women are tied for ninth.

MEET VITALS

• NCCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship: Hosted by Grace College
• Standings: Men: T-3^rd of 19 | Women: T-9^th of 17
• Location:Key Track & Field Complex | Grace College | Winona Lake, Ind.

ALL-AMERICANS

• Erik Escobedo | Men’s Discus | 47.02m
• Jordan Downs | Men’s Pole Vault | 4.65m
• Mariah King | Women’s 4x800m Relay | 9:45.36
• Vanessa Steiner | Women’s 4x800m Relay | 9:45.36
• Jessica Duvall | Women’s 4x800m Relay | 9:45.36
• Anna Nisen | Women’s 4x800m Relay | 9:45.36

TOP EIGHT FINISHES – WOMEN

• 4x800m Relay | King, Steiner, Duvall, Nisen | 3^rd
• Natalia Johnson | 10,000m | 6^th
• Darian Westmeyer | Javelin | 7^th

TOP EIGHT FINISHES – MEN

• Erik Escobedo | Discus | 2^nd
• Jordan Downs | Pole Vault | 2^nd
• Isaiah Gelinas | Pole Vault | 4^th
• Cameron Kitson | Pole Vault | 6^th
• 4x800m Relay | Jalen Alexander, Jack Fisher, Collin Wiersema, Kole Hanke | 8^th

COACH NATALI SAYS

• “We had a very solid day one. We had some athletes really step up. Isaiah Gelinas in pole vault, Erik Escobedo in discus, Natalia Johnsonin 10k, and the women’s 4×8 relay team of Duvall, Steiner, Nisen, and King picked up some big points for us today. Jordan Downs had a big day in pole vault joining Escobedo and the ladies’ 4×8 as All-Americans. Excited to see what’s in store for day 2 tomorrow.”

NEXT TIME OUT

• The Pilots will return for Day Two of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship meet on Friday at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana.