By: Justin DeWeese
GOSHEN, Ind. - Goshen College is set to make its 27th consecutive appearance at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships, held for the first time in Florida at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center at Celebration Pointe in Gainesville from February 27 to March 1. Representing the men's team are Charlie Aldrich, Jordan Garlinger, Anthony Roberts, Kevin Liddell, and Bruno Kipsang, while Mercy Chebet and Stephany Claudio will compete for the women's team. Head coach Rustin Nyce and associate head coach Lisa Voyles have accompanied the athletes.
The team will participate in the student-athlete experience on Wednesday evening before the competition begins on Thursday with the men's 4x800-meter prelims at 3:15 pm. On Friday, Anthony Roberts will compete in the men's mile prelims at 12:05 pm and the 1,000-meter prelims at 4:00 pm. Mercy Chebet and Stephany Claudio will race in the 3,000-meter prelims at 4:15 pm. Should they qualify, the men's 4x800 finals will be at 6:25 pm. The men's mile final is scheduled for 12:35 pm on Saturday, followed by the men's 1,000 meters at 2:45 pm and the women's 3,000 meters at 3:00 pm.
The men's 4x800 team holds the 20th fastest seed time among 25 schools. Anthony Roberts is ranked 20th in the 1,000 meters and 19th in the mile. On the women's side, Stephany Claudio is ranked 17th and Mercy Chebet 18th out of 20 participants in their events.
This year's championship marks the 60th annual event for men and the 45th for women. Cumberlands (Ky.) won the men's title last year, while Indiana Tech has claimed the women's title for the past four seasons. Notably, Goshen's associate head coach Lisa Voyles was part of the Indiana Tech team that dominated the championships, winning the indoor 1,000 meters four times, along with titles in the indoor mile and distance medley relay, as well as two outdoor events.
Goshen Schedule of Events
- Thursday:
- 3:15 pm: Men's 4x800-meter prelims
- Friday:
- Saturday:
- 12:35 pm: Men's mile final (pending qualification)
- 2:45 pm: Men's 1,000 meters (pending qualification)
- 3:00 pm: Women's 3,000 meters (pending qualification)
