Bethel Track Team Arrives At NAIA Indoor Nationals
Brookings, South Dakota-
NAIA Indoor Track National Championships
The Bethel University Track team arrived at South Dakota State today for the NAIA Indoor Track Nationals. Head Coach Brandon Kilburn and Assistant Coach Wes Bradshaw, had six individuals who made the trip to South Dakota. The wind chill was negative twelve degrees as the athletes made their way inside of South Dakota State's state of the art indoor facility. In the world of running, it is known as a shakeout or warm up to get the legs back loose after a long road trip. The weather in South Dakota really put a new meaning to "Warming up".
Joseph Skoog
All-American Joseph Skoog will be competing in the 5000 and 3000 meter run. Skoog finished second at cross country nationals this past fall, won the Mid-South Conference Championship in the 8k and helped win the DMR as well as winning the 3000 meter run later that day at the indoor conference championships this season while also setting a school record in both. The transfer senior from Grand Canyon University looks to battle for All-American this week as well as be in the running for a national championship. This would only be the second national championship in the history of Bethel University in NAIA sanctioned sports. Since coming to Bethel this fall, the senior has set mulitple school records. Which are the indoor 5000m, indoor 3000m, DMR, 8000m and the mile. The semi-final for the 5000 and 3000 meters will be on Thursday and Friday. The 5000m start time is at 2:45 PM. The 3000m race will follow on Friday at 4:15 PM.
Stetson Childress, Owen Crocker, San'Darius Coleman, Ariel Devoto and Braden Wallace
These individuals will be competing in the Distance Medley Relay. After finishing first at conference with a time of 10:14.68, these athletes will be looking to compete among the nations best. Only twenty-two other NAIA schools qualified in this event. There will be three heats in the DMR. Two from each heat will qualify for finals and then the next top two times will also advance. Lindsey Wilson and Cumberlands from the Mid-South conference will also be competing in this event. The semi-finals for this race will be held Thursday at 6:00 PM.
Head Coach Brandon Kilburn had the following to say:
"We are excited to be here. This is a huge chance for these young men to showcase their talent and to grow even further as athletes. With indoor closing and outdoor around the corner, this will help prep them for the near future as well. Running is a year-round sport and there is hardly any down time, which is what makes these athletes so special. Right now however, we are focused on this week. This is a great group of individuals and I know they will perform to the best of their ability. They have already made me proud and I know they will continue to do so. We are blessed just for the oppurtunity to even be here to compete with the nations best."
Meet Schedule-https://www.naia.org/sports/mtrack-ind/2023-24/releases/schedule
Meet Program-https://www.naia.org/sports/mtrack-ind/2023-24/files/2024-NAIA-Indoor-Track-program.pdf
Live Stream-https://www.naia.org/sports/wvball/stretch_wvball