Track and Field Heads to NCCAA Championships
The Kansas Christian College track and field program finished its first outdoor seasonwith seven student-athletes qualifying for the 2021NCCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. To qualify to participate in the national championship, a student-athlete needs to either hit a national qualifying mark during the regular season, be a member of a qualifying relay team or be selected as a right of entry.
The men's team qualified seven student-athletes for this year's championship. Freshman Christian Pineda from El Paso, Texas qualified for the triple jump (40'2") and finished the season ranked 18th in the NCCAA. He will also be competing in the long jump as a right of entry. Others earning an automatic qualification to this year's championship is the 4 x 100 m relay team who finished the regular season rated 14th in the NCCAA. The 4x100 team is made up of Michael Jones, Kobe Morgan, Dante Lopez, and Ashton Sims. Earning right of entry bids for this year's championship are freshman Ashton Sims from Sikeston, Mo. (100m), Freshmen Dante Lopez from Kansas City, Mo. (800m), Hela Arabagali from Boroko Papua New Guinea (Javelin) andSophomore Kobe Morganfrom Tecumseh, Kan. (Discus). Also representing Kansas Christian at this year's outdoor championship is six-time NCCAA scholar- athlete senior James Trigg from Kansas City, Mo. Triggwill be an alternate on the 4 x 100 m relay team.
"Even though college athletics is starting to get back to normal there were still a lot of challenges associated with this season, I am very proud of the way our team adjusted to changing schedules and Covid related restrictions", said Coach Keeler. The men finished the season with seven new school records and several Falcons in the top 25.
New School Records
Aston Sims 100m. 11.47
Dante Lopez800m. 2:11.35
Christian Pineda Long Jump 19'2"
Christian Pineda Triple Jump 40'2"
Hela Arabagali. Shot Put 28'4.5"
Kobe Morgan Discus 91'6"
Hela Arabagali Javelin 100'7"
Top 25
Christian Pineda Triple Jump40'2" 18th
4x100m relay team 46.18 13th
The 2021 outdoor season was the first for the Kansas Christian women's program with freshmen Morgan McGehee (North Platte, Neb.) setting a school record inthe 800m. "I feel like we are laying the groundwork for a strong women's track and field program" said Coach Keeler.
New School Records
Morgan McGehee 800m 3:28.69
This year the national championships will be hosted by Greenville University in on the 13th and 14th of May. Fans will be allowed to attend this year's championship, masks and social distancing will be required.