By: Justin DeWeese
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Drew Hogan became an All-American yet again as the Goshen men's indoor track and field team competed in four events on the final day of the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships.
The day started with
Drew Hogan competing in the men's mile final. Hogan began the eight-lap race in lane three and was in fifth after the first lap. A few laps in, he established himself in the top group of five - as they created some separation from the remaining five. Hogan stayed around the fourth or fifth spot and had a time of 2:05.01 halfway into the race. Justin Kiplagat of Trinity Christian opened up a larger lead, but Camden Khon of Spring Arbor overtook him. Tristan Trevino of Marian took his time, but passed them both to win the event in 4:04.25. After the first three finished within 0.35 seconds of each other,
Drew Hogan came in fourth, an All-American finish, with a time of 4:09.13. This was a personal best for Hogan and the second-best time in school history - only behind
Mathew Keitany's NAIA runner-up finish in the event in 2024 with a time of 4:08.45. Hogan earned five team points for the Leafs as a result of his finish, putting them in a tie for 22nd place in the team standings. Five of the top seven finishers in the men's mile were from the Crossroads League.
Hogan was up again in the men's 3,000-meter run - an event that didn't have a prelim, but only a final. He started on the outermost lane - runner 20 of the 20 in the field. As they merged into the first lane, he was in fourth place. Ryan Stade of Montreat created a sizable lead early on, and despite a late push from Jack Anderson from The Master's, Stade prevailed. Hogan finished in 16th of 20 with a time of 8:34.58.
Duncan Kogei raced in the 5,000 meters next - another race that just had a final. Kogei was in third as they got settled into position after the first quarter mile, and he held that spot for nearly the first mile. He slipped a few spots as the laps went on and was on the edge of All-American status for the remainder of the race. His lap times gradually increased from the 13th to the 22nd laps of the 25 lap race, but he stayed in the eighth position. His times sped up the last three laps, but those around him were able to gain some spots and Kogei finished in tenth of 20 with a time of 14:41.42. This is his second-fastest time in the event and the third-fastest in school history. Luca Madeo from Cumberlands became a repeat champion in the event after retaking the lead he had for most of the race in the final stretch.
The last event of the meet for Goshen was the distance medley relay.
Drew Hogan would run the 1,200 meters,
Max Estep the 400,
Jacob Friesen the 800 and
Mathew Keitany the 1,600 meters. Unfortuantely for the Leafs, Hogan was tripped up as the teams jockeyed for position early on, and he was running from behind. While the group made every effort to get back, they finished 12th of 12 with a final time of 10:41.82. Marian won the race while Oklahoma City and Indiana Wesleyan were both within 0.32 seconds of the Knights.
The outdoor season will begin with the IWU Polar Bear Classic on March 20 and 21.