RESULTS | Day 1 Recap | Day 2 Recap
ROCHESTER, NY - The Royals earned 6 All-American honors and Joel Smith earned national runner-up in the 400m hurdles at the NCAA Championships on Saturday.
"We had a fantastic final day of the championships," said Head Coach Andrew Rock.
Kelsie Sealock opened the day for Bethel as she blazed down the track and finished 3rd in a time of 13.58. This is Sealock's 3rd All-American honor in the 100m hurdles and the 9th total of her career.
"Kelsie got us going with a huge performance in the 100 hurdles in what was the fastest finals field in Division III history," said Rock. "She raced with such composure and finished off a fantastic year with a clutch performance on the biggest stage."
Video: Kelsie Sealock's 100m Hurdles
Joel Smith ran the race of his life and one for the record books in the men's 400m hurdles. Smith went toe-to-toe with SUNY Geneseo's Lance Jenson as the two separated themselves from the field early and battled down the homestretch. Smith was rewarded with 2nd place, and a program record 50.88 - the 9th best time in Division III history.
"Joel ran the best race of his life in the biggest moment of his career," said Rock. "His time is just hard to even comprehend as that took well over a second off of his personal best. He raced with a determination and aggressiveness that I haven't seen before and it paid off. He's such a great leader for us and we could not be more proud of him."
Video: Joel Smith's 400m Hurdle
To finish the day, the men's 4x400m relay team earned All-American honors with their 6th place finish. In a race that saw the Division III record fall, Joel Smith (48.34), Grant Nelson (47.48), Josh Sampson (48.20), and Jacob Parent (46.16) ran a terrific time of 3:10.17.
"The men really came out and ran so great in the 4x4 final," said Rock. We talked in our meeting last night about having quiet confidence, keeping our emotions in check, and a commitment to fighting with everything we have for each other. They did exactly that and ran an absolutely fabulous time! These men are courageous and earned All-American with a very gritty performance in the fastest 4x4 final in D3 history."
