Chambers and Stephens compete on day two of NAIA National Championships

GULF SHORES, Ala. (May 26, 2022) – The Milligan University men's track team had a pair of student-athletes compete in preliminary events on the second day of the NAIA National Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

On Thursday morning the NAIA announced that the scheduled 5k prelims set for tonight were cancelled due to inclement weather causing an early suspension of competition last night. Rather than having two heats narrow the 22-runner 5k fields down for a final, all qualifiers will compete tomorrow night in the men's and women's 5k final. For Milligan, Avery DeWolf Burton moves on to the women's 5k final while Bryn Woodall and Aaron Jones advance to the men's 5k final.

Sylas Chambers competed for the Buffs in the 800 prelims. He ran 1:54.24 to place sixth in the opening heat. His time ranked 16th overall in the 800 prelims.

Sklyan Stephens ran in the first heat of the 400 prelims but had his time disqualified due to a lane violation. He was the Buffs' first national qualifier in the men's 400 since 2012.

"I know both of these young men wanted to advance to tomorrows finals," said head coach Chris Layne. "But they've both had breakthrough years and they've probably exceeded our expectations - we're really proud of them."

Evan Henson (half marathon), Will Stockley (1500), Burton (5k), Woodall (5k) and Jones (5k) will look to earn All-America status in their respective finals tomorrow on the last day of the NAIA National Championships.