Buffs sending huge group to national championships

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (May 24, 2021) – Nine women and nine men will represent Milligan University at this year's NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. Four-time national champion Emily Kearney highlights the women's side while indoor national champions Nathan Baker (2x) and Tim Thacker highlight the men.

The 41st annual women's and 70th annual men's national championship events are set to take place Wednesday-Friday, May 26-28, at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

"We are almost exclusively in endurance events this championship, so that can be challenging in a hot and humid environment," Head Coach Chris Layne said. "How we navigate these challenges will determine what we are able to accomplish."

Recent success

The Buffs have accomplished much in recent seasons, despite last year's outdoor national championships being canceled due to the pandemic. They are coming off No. 7 and No. 3 finishes at the cross country national championships earlier this semester after Thacker (mile) and Baker (3k) highlighted the team's efforts with individual national titles at the indoor championships. There, the women finished 10th behind three national runner-up finishes while the men took eighth.

Avery DeWolf (3k) and Bekah Owen (5k), along with Gabrielle Mardis, Kiley Wood, Gracie Allen and DeWolf (distance medley relay), helped the women's indoor effort with individual runner-up finishes.

Seeding and expectations

That stout group will be joined by Kearney, who will finish out her collegiate running career coming in to the outdoor championships as the No. 1 seed in the 5k and 10k. DeWolf (5k), Mardis (3k SC) and Owen (5k) enter the event all seeded in the top 15 while the 4x800 meter relay is seeded No. 7.

Four Buffs come in as top 10 seeds on the men's side, led by Thacker who is fourth in the 800, Andrew Burton who is fifth in the marathon, and Baker who is seventh in the 5k.

"Both squads have looked strong the last few weeks," Layne said. "They have been able to handle the training and seem to be a step ahead with most everything they have done. Championships in general can be an equalizer, but this is a pretty savvy bunch with a great deal of experience in this setting."

Full schedule

The full list of Buffaloes set to compete are: Baker (5k), Eli Baldy (marathon), Burton (marathon), Eli Cramer (5k), Jake Crow (5k), Evan Henson (marathon), Aaron Jones (5k), Alex Mortimer (marathon), Thacker (800), Allen (4x800), DeWolf (5k, 4x800), Caitlin Dominy (4x800), Rebecca Glover (4x800), Kearney (5k, 10k, 4x800), Valentina Kenjeres (4x800), Mardis (3k SC), Owen (5k, 4x800) and Wood (4x800).

"When you look at experience and who stands out, I think you have to start with Emily, Nathan and Tim," Layne added. "Then of course, Avery, Bekah and Gabby have all shown their potential to be in the mix at nationals. The large majority making this trip has competed at a national championship in their career so I have a great deal of trust that they are going to get after it when the gun fires."

For Milligan's complete schedule of events, please see below. All times are eastern daylight time.

Wednesday, May 26

8 p.m. – Women's 4x800 meter relay prelim
9:40 p.m. – Women's 3k Steeplechase prelim
10:30 p.m. – Women's 10k FINAL

Thursday, May 27

4:50 p.m. – Men's 800 prelim
8:10 p.m. – Women's 4x800 meter relay FINAL
8:45 p.m. – Women's 5k prelim
9:35 p.m. – Men's 5k prelim

Friday, May 28

7 a.m. – Marathon FINAL
3 p.m. – Women's 3k Steeplechase FINAL
6 p.m. – Men's 800 FINAL
6:30 p.m. – Women's 5k FINAL
6:55 p.m. – Men's 5k FINAL