LEBANON, Ill. - Less than one year after taking on the challenges of a new sport, Ashford University track and field freshman racewalk specialist Aleksander Jakobsen of Rock Island, Ill., will be heading to the NAIA National Outdoor Championships.

The dual-sport athlete punched his ticket to the NAIA National Meet last night at the McKendree College Last Chance Racewalk Qualifier at Leemon Field.

Jakobsen competed alongside McKendree's Alex Lo, who reportedly has over a decade of racewalking experience.

Jakobsen becomes the fifth Saint to qualify for the national meet later this month in Marion, Ind., clocking in the 5k race at 27:12.03. The national qualifying mark is 27:30.

For now, Jakobsen is a provisional qualifier by hitting the NAIA "B" standard, but his status could be elevated to an automatic qualifier come Monday based on the field of competitors.

Jakobsen joins freshman hurdler Christian "Ed" Awah of Willow Springs, Ill., senior Franklin Barnes of Chicago, and high jumper A.J. Smith of Port Byron, Ill., on the list to qualify for outdoor nationals. Freshman long jumper Sarah Wenzel of Clinton eclipsed the "B" standard on the women's side.

"This is an amazing feat for a beginner and I've never seen someone be so happy to be a national qualifier," AU assistant coach Tyson Graham said. "I'm really excited to see what is to come for Aleks. We've set goals already for next year and with a handful of student-athletes dedicated to racewalking, the future looks really bright here at Ashford."

Following his run, Jakobsen will be ranked 16th in the nation. Jakobsen and his teammates will compete at the NAIA national meet on May 27-29.