The Dordt University men's track and field team took home All-American honors in six events on the final day of the 2023 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. The three-day championship event was held at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, S.D.
Dordt finished third in the team standings, its second highest placing in program history. In what came down to the final event for the team championship, the Defenders scored four points in the 4x400 relay for a total of 38.6, moving ahead of Indiana Wesleyan for third place. Southeastern (Fla.), aided by its win in the 4x400, earned the team title with 45 points. Life, the runner-up in the 4x400, was second in the team standings with 40.
The Defenders 4x400 relay ran their second best time of the season in today's final (3:16.06), finishing fourth and a mere .15 seconds ahead of Marian (Ind.), to secure the third place finish in the overall team standings. Places 4 - 8 was decided by just over .5 seconds in a frantic and memorable finish. Relay members include
Levi Schelhaas,
Peyton Miller,
Cole Zevenbergen and
Payton Mauldin.
"The 4x400 crew knew that their race could propel us to a podium (top 3) finish as a team," stated Dordt University Head Coach Craig Heynen. "They raced with tremendous heart and our first three guys put Payton in a position where he could bring it home. The race was a battle the whole way with hectic handoffs; there was a lot riding on the outcome of the race. This was an incredible performance by all four guys."
Earlier in the day, Mauldin and Zevenbergen both claimed All-American honors for the third consecutive indoor season in the 600m. Mauldin finished third (1:18.55) and Zevenbergen sixth (1:20.29), the same placing from the 2022 championships.
"Payton and Cole both ran excellent races today," commented Heynen. "Finishing third and sixth in that event was key to our team's point scoring. The 600m field was as competitive as it has ever been and they both were right in the thick of it."
Joe Anderson earned All-American honors for the third time in his career and first in an individual event as the senior placed second in the 3000m. Anderson's time (8:21.35) was just over a second in back of the champion, Bryn Woodall (Milligan).
"I am so happy to see Joe run such an incredible race in the 3K," said Heynen. "He just missed out on placing in the top eight in both indoor and outdoor track last year. Joe moved up to the 3K this season and put in a ton of work in, leading up to today's race. His hard work paid off with a tremendous race and huge momentum builder for our team and its quest for the podium."
Dordt had two All-Americans in today's 5000m final as
Peter Shippy and
Davis Tebben placed in the top eight. Shippy ran a personal-best time of 14:28.6, nearly nine seconds faster than his previous best and 25 seconds better than Thursday's prelim time. The junior earned All-American honors for the first time as a Defender in track and field. Tebben also took home the national honor for the first time, holding on for a seventh place finish with a season-best time of 14:49.
Aidan Vorster missed out on claiming All-American honors by one place, finishing ninth with a personal-best time of 14:53.
"Peter and Davis were both first time individual All-Americans and it could not have happened at a better time as it put us in a position for a top four finish as a team," said Heynen. Davis ran a great tactical race and hung on at the end while Peter positioned himself well and had his trademarked sprint to the finish; what an exciting race."
Trey Engen began the day with a ninth place finish in the mile, posting a time of 4:16.88.
Dordt All-Americans from the 2023 Indoor Championships:
Defender Results, Day Three:
