Bearzi, Jones and both DMRs advance to finals at NAIA National Championships

BROOKINGS, S.D. (March 2, 2023) – The Milligan University indoor track & field teams had two individuals and two relays move on to Saturday finals on the first day of the 2022-23 NAIA National Indoor Track & Field Championships.

"Today was an important first step in getting to Saturday in a good place," said head coach Chris Layne. "I thought we executed well in our open events and then the relays did what they needed to advance."

Milligan's men's distance medley relay posted the top overall time of the prelims and set a program record with a 10:00.37 effort. Will Stockly, Ja'Quan Williams, Sylas Chambers and Bryn Woodall combined for the record-setting effort. The Buffs have earned All-America honors in the DMR each of the last three seasons.

Alyssa Bearzi finished first in heat one and second overall in the 5k with a time of 17:31.44. Bearzi, the 2021 NAIA cross country national champion, and William Carey's Lina May, the 2022 NAIA cross country national champion head into Saturday's final with the top two times. May won heat two with the top overall preliminary time of 17:20.39.

Bearzi doubled up as the anchor leg of the Buffs' women's DMR. Bearzi teamed with Caitlin Dominy, Megan Christian, and Ellen Mary Kearney to finish eighth overall in 12:02.67 to advance to Saturday's final.

In the men's 5k, Aaron Jones punched his ticket to the final for the second-straight year. He finished third in the second preliminary heat and fourth overall to secure a spot on Saturday. He turned in a time of 14:58.86 to move on.

Jake Crow crossed 24th overall in the 5k (15:22.15) and Dawson Reed finished 32nd in 15:51.74. Gracie Allen finished 29th in the women's 5k in 18:35.01.

"Gracie and Jake were just a little short on training coming in as they were a little nicked up early indoors and Dawson took a tumble," said Layne. "Which we tried to protest but got declined."

Qualifying for championship Saturday continues tomorrow with the mile, 60-meter hurdles, 1k and 3k.