The Dordt University men's track and field team completed day two at the NAIA Indoor Championships with one All-American finish and another entry qualifying for Saturday's final. The 2026 championship is being held at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center in Gainesville, Fla.
The Defenders 4x800 relay claimed All-American honors with their sixth place finish in the final event on day two of the championship. This is the fifth time in the last seven years the Defenders have finished among the top eight teams and earned All-American honors in the 4x800 relay. Entering the championship as the No.12 seed and running the eighth fastest time in the Thursday's prelim, Dordt bettered their standing by two spots in today's final.
Kaden Van Wyngarden ran a 29.09 over the final 200m to overtake Cornerstone (Mich.) during the final lap. Relay members include
Luke Swanson,
Anderson Schuttinga,
Jamison Velzke and
Kaden Van Wyngarden.
Isaac Davelaar qualified for the finals on Saturday with his finish in the 600m prelims. Davelaar, a 2025 All-American in the event, heads to the finals for the second consecutive year. The junior passed Eric Materna (Marian) with a 27.43 split over the final 200m to win the second heat and secure the automatic bid into the final. Davelaar crossed the finish line in 1:17.76 with a personal-best time of 1:17.76, the second fastest time of the prelim, behind Tavon Davis (Cumberlands).
Four additional Defenders competed today, three on the track and one in a field event.
Bennett Wassenaar finished 23rd in the 600m with a time of 1:23.17 and did not qualify for the finals.
Kaden Van Wyngarden placed 18th in the mile with a time of 4:25.54 and did not qualify for the finals.
Levi Schelhaas placed third in heat three and finished with the 12th fastest time overall (48.20) in the 400m. His time today was a personal-best and ranks No.3 all-time at Dordt.
Micah Schaap placed 16th in the long jump with a mark of 7.03m (23'0.75"), just off his personal best.
Saturday's Schedule for the Defenders:
