NIACC heads to NJCAA national indoor track and field meet

Smith (Charles City, Ia.) is also seeded 10^th in the 3,000 (8:44.92) and 18^th in the mile (4:21.11).

At last season’s national indoor meet, Smith was fourth in the 5,000 (15:19.81) and was 17^th in the 3,000 (9:17.68).

Sophomore Jonny Worley (Greene, Ia.) (picutred) and freshman Mason Powers (Gilbert, Ia.) both qualified in two individual events for NIACC.

Worley is seeded 12^th in the mile (4:22.21) and 26^th in the 1,000 (2:38.55). Powers is seeded 25^th in the 3,000 (9:17.04) and 10^th in the 5,000 (15:30.93).

“I think it’s been a good indoor season,” NIACC coach Curtis Vais said. “We set five records on the guys side and one record on the women’s side.

“I told the team that as we continue to establish the program that it’s going to be tougher and tougher to break those records. As the records go down, some of these times could stick around for awhile. Overall, I’ve been pleased with our indoor season.”

Setting indoor school records for the NIACC men were Worley in the 800 (1:57.43), Smith with his 8:44.92 in the 3,000, the 4×400-meter relay team of Paul Pokana, Alex Lugo, Brock Schultz and Nako Omot (3:24.15), Trey Taylor in the weight throw (52-4) and Jacob Gapp in the high jump (6-4).

Hillary Garvey, who will run at the national meet, set a school record in the 600 (1:40.67). She is seeded 10^th in the 600 at the NJCAA meet.

The NJCAA meet, which is being held on the Texas Tech campus, starts at 9 a.m. Friday with the men’s and women’s heptathlon.

NIACC’s first event Friday is the distance medley relay at 4:15 p.m.

NIACC national qualifiers

MEN

(Seed in parentheses)

Weight throw: Trey Taylor, 52-4 ½ (11^th); 800 – OJ Ojulu, 1:58.02 (23^rd), Alex Lugo, 1:59.32 (28^th);1,000 – Jonny Worley, 2:38.55 (26^th); Mile – Worley, 4:22.21 (12^th), Trent Smith, 4:21.11 (18^th); 3,000 –Smith, 8:44.92 (10^th); Mason Powers, 9:17.04 (25^th)); 5,000 – Smith, 14:58.36 (3^rd), Powers, 15:30.93 (10th). 4×400-meter relay – Paul Pokana, Lugo, Nako Omot, Brock Schultz, 3:24.15 (18^th). 4×800 –Lugo, Ojulu, Matt Bowman, Omot or Smith, 7:56.06 (7^th). Distance medley relay – Bowman, Pokana, Ojulu, Worley, 10:33.62 (6^th).

WOMEN

(Seed in parentheses)

Weight throw – Emily Burchett, 48-0 3/8 (15^th). 600 – Hillary Garvey, 1:40.67 (10^th).

NIACC SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday

4:15 p.m. – Men’s Distance medley relay (final). 5 p.m. – Men’s 5,000 (final). 5:55 p.m. – Women’s 600 (prelims). 7:50 p.m. – Men’s 800 (prelims). 9:10 p.m. – Men’s 3,000 (final). 9:45 p.m. – Men’s 1,000 (prelims).

Saturday

9 a.m. – Men’s weight throw. 11 a.m. – Women’s weight throw. 12:45 p.m. – Men’s 4×800 (final). 1:40 p.m. – Men’s mile (final). 1:55 p.m. – Women’s 600 (final). 3:05 p.m. – Men’s 800 (final). 3:45 p.m. –Men’s 1,000 (final). 4:05 p.m. – Men’s 4×400 (final).