RESULTS
GENEVA, Ohio - The Royals came away from the NCAA National Championships with 14 All-Americans and an 8th place finish in the men's team competition with 24 team points. That is the highest team finish, most points, and most All-Americans at a single championship in program history.
"What an incredible three days it was for the whole nationals squad!" said Head Coach Andrew Rock. "The way this team supports each other is really special and that came out more than ever at this meet. I see how they feed off of each other and it's just so fulfilling to watch them want to perform not just for themselves but for each other.
Bethel had 3 runner-up finishes for the weekend. Kelsie Sealock added to her trophy collection by taking 2nd place in the 100m hurdles - her 3rd career All-American award in the hurdles. Sealock ran a program record 13.76 seconds, which stands as the 9th fastest 100m hurdle time in Division III history.
Freshman Jayson Ekiyor stormed to a 2nd place finish in the 110m hurdles, just minutes later. Ekiyor ran a personal best 14.17 seconds, breaking All-American Taylor Ferda's program record from 2010.
Gabe Irons captured his first All-American honor by taking 2nd in the discus with a throw of 54.58m / 179'1" on Thursday.
The Royals had two All-Americans in the men's 400m hurdles for the 2nd year in a row. Joel Smith took 4th place in a time of 52.42 while Tyler Sealock captured the final All-American spot taking 8th place in 53.15.
At the end of the day, the Royals earned a pair of 8th place finishes in the 4x400m relays. The women's team of Hannah Sankey, Sarah Stellmach, Mikayla Turek, and Kelsie Sealock ran a season best time of 3:47.26. In the men's race, the team of Jacob Parent, Tyler Sealock, Josh Sampson, and Joel Smith ran the 2nd best time of the season to take 8th in 3:13.80.
The Royals also got an All-American award from Lukas Walton with his 6,654 points in the decathlon to take 8th place.
"We are really blessed as a group to have had so much support here with us as well," said Rock. "The Bethel cheering section was large, energetic, and made all the difference for the athletes. The memories that were part of this journey are truly what will last for us and that is something pretty special for us all!
