Qualifying Standard Met by Miller to Pace Split-Squad Week

Terre Haute, Ind. / Pella–Andrew Miller (Jr., Le Claire, Iowa, Exercise Science) joins an ever-growing crew of national qualifiers as the Statesmen men’s track and field team attended two different meets this week.

At Thursday’s Central Dutch WeatherSaver Invitational, Miller placed fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a ‘B’ standard time of 9:20.38. He is the fourth Statesmen to qualify for the NAIA National Championship next month.

Gavin Huff (Jr., Mascoutah, Ill., Mechanical Engineering) also competed in Pella, finishing ninth in the 1,500-meter run in a time of 4:05.09.

Another small group ventured east to the Hoosier State for the Indiana State Gibson Invitational on Saturday.

Keena Taylor (Fr., St. Petersburg, Fla., Business Management) topped the navy and gold with a fourth-place effort in the 100-meter dash in 10.47 seconds.

Youssef Hamed (Jr., Al Wakrah, Qatar, Business Management) also fared well in the 100, ending up 10th at 10.60.

Micah Mills (Jr., Houston, Texas, Psychology) grabbed a top-10 showing as well, doing so in the triple jump with a mark of 44-9.75.

“Andrew Miller has fought all year long, and finally broke through,” Head Coach Victoria Vinokur said. “We have known it is in him all along, and he finally saw what he is capable of. I am excited to watch what he does throughout the rest of the season.”

Next Up: William Penn will split up its teams with athletes heading to three different meets. Many individuals will either head to Indianola next Thursday and Friday for the Simpson Kip Janvrin Open or go to Des Moines for the Grand View Viking Relays on Friday. Select athletes will also be in Des Moines next Friday and Saturday for the Drake Relays.