CLINTON, Iowa - The highly successful indoor track and field season for the Ashford University men's and women's programs concludes on March 4-6 with the NAIA Indoor National Championships. Seven Saints have earned qualifying marks and head to Johnson City, Tenn. next week.
National qualifiers for the Saints will be competing at the Memorial Center "Mini Dome" with a chance to compete with the top track and field athletes in the NAIA.
"The fact that we have multiple kids going is big step for the program." AU Head Coach Chris Adams said. "More importantly, the number of freshmen and the youth of the team is a big step forward. With four freshmen going to nationals, it bodes well for the future."
Provisionally qualifying in the 60-meter hurdles, senior Franklin Barnes of Chicago, Ill., is the only upperclassman to be heading to the national meet. Sophomores A.J. Smith from Port Byron, Ill., and Aaron Yerk of Belvidere, Ill., will compete in the high jump and heptathlon, respectively.
Four freshmen members of the men's track program will be joining Barnes, Smith, and Yerk in the Volunteer State. Christian Awah of Willow Springs, Ill., will compete in the 60-meter hurdles and Spencer Touchie of Hometown, Ill., will throw the shot put.
On the women's side, freshman Nkemdilim Okwumabua of Rockford, Ill., hit qualifying marks in 600-meter run, and freshman Heather Ketcham of Byron, Ill., reached the provisional qualifying height in the high jump.
"It'll be the national stage," Adams said. "Franklin (Barnes) is the only one that has been there before. Franklin's experience will pay off for the youth going to the meet. What he's been through during his career at Ashford will be a big part of our success at indoor nationals."
Barnes will be participating in a NAIA National Championship meet for the fourth time. In 2008, Barnes qualified for the Indoor and Outdoor Championships in the 60-meter hurdles. Last season, Barnes qualified in for Outdoor Championships in the 400 meter hurdles but did not travel due to personal reasons.
"I'm just happy to qualify," said Barnes, who has had a tough season being plagued with injuries.
Being a leader for the youthful Saints track programs is a title that Barnes relishes.
"There are things they haven't seen or done at this type of meet, so I try to encourage them and say ‘this is what's going to happen and show them the ropes," he added.
Although the track programs have seen drastic improvement in recent years, Adams is optimistic that there is even more room for success this year.
"I hope we compete with our seed times and compete at the best level they have this season," he said.
NAIA Indoor National Track and Field Championships Page
Wednesday, March 3rd
Leave for Johnson City, Tenn., at 6 a.m.
7 p.m. Awards Ceremony - Speaker is Olympic Coach Brooks Johnson
9 p.m. - Track and Field Coaches Association Meeting
Thursday, March 4th
Coaches Meeting at 8 a.m.
Aaron Yerk - Seeded 15th in the Nation in Heptathlon on Thursday, March 4th at 1 p.m. with 60 Meter Dash, Long Jump, Shot Put, and High Jump.
Friday, March 5th
Aaron Yerk - Starts Day 2 of Heptathlon at 10 a.m.(60 Meter Hurdles, Pole Vault, 1000 Meter Run)
Christian Awah - Starts Prelims of 60 M Hurdles at 1:20 p.m. Seeded 18th in the Nation
Franklin Barnes - Starts Prelims of 60 M Hurdles at 1:20 p.m. Seeded 43rd in the Nation
** Qualifiers in the 60M Hurdles Run Semifinals at 2:40 p.m.**
A.J. Smith - Starts High Jump at 3 p.m. (Seeded 13th)
Nkemdilim Okwumabua - Starts Prelims of 600 M Run at 3:25 PM (Seeded 27th)
Saturday, March 6th
*** Qualifiers in 60 M Hurdles Run Finals at 12:50 p.m.***
*** Qualifiers in 600 Meter Dash Run Finals at 1:05 p.m.***
Spencer Touchie throws Shot Put at 1 p.m. (Seeded 13th)
Heather Ketcham high jumps at 1:30 p.m. (Seeded 17th)
Awards Ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
