Doane's Matthew Campbell repeats as NAIA champion

Doane Track and Field started Day Two of the NAIA National Championships on Friday morning with the conclusion of the men's heptathlon. As the day progressed, the Tigers would finish with two All-American honors and one national champion crowned.

David Arcos (SR/Columbus, Neb.) resumed the heptathlon as he started the day in third place. In the opening event of the day, he posted a time of 8.50 seconds in the 60m hurdles for the third-best time of the competitors and held on to his overall standing. As the men moved over to the pole vault, Arcos posted a clearance of 3.85m (12-07.75) for the ninth-best mark. He continued to hold down third place entering the final event, the 1500m run. Crossing the finish line in sixth with a time of 2:53.17, Arcos finished with 5,076 total points and brought home a third place finish.

The field events began at noon with the men's weight throw. Defending national champion Matthew Campbell (SR/Ainsworth, Neb.) was looking to repeat in the event, something last done in 2017. Campbell was not going to be denied his date with destiny as he uncorked a throw of 20.49m (67-02.75) on his first attempt of the day to set a new personal best and take a lead that would not be threatened. Campbell added to his lead on the second throw with a mark of 20.69m (67-10.75). After a scratch on his final attempt of the prelims, he opened the finals with the official winning mark of 20.91m (68-07.25). Campbell's victory gave Doane their first two-time champion in the weight throw and gave the GPAC their 11th weight throw national title since Doane's Will Moman won in 2006.

Also in the weight throw, Luke Partridge (SO/Wahoo, Neb.) pushed for All-American honors as he made the finals but he was edged out for a Top Eight finish on the last round of throws. Partridge finished with a throw of 18.22m (59-09.50) to place ninth. It was a personal best throw for Partridge who had entered the meet in 16th place on the season chart. Trey Dickey (FR/Beaver Crossing, Neb.) finished in 24th place with a throw of 16.30mm (53-05.75).

Doane had two competitors in the men's high jump, Carter Reckling (SO/Crete, Neb.) and Dylan Starr (FR/Fairbury, Neb.). Unfortunately, neither was able to clear the opening height.

On the track for the men, Zach Turner (SO/Crete, Neb.) ran a time of 8.26 in the 60m hurdles and placed 17th overall. Kingdon Hawes (SR/Omaha, Neb.) placed 15th in the 600m run with a time of 1:21.31 and Kalen Dockweiler (JR/Callaway, Neb.) finished in 14th place in the 1000m run with a time of 2:29.89.

For the Tiger women, Annika Pingel (SR/Pella, Iowa) advanced to the finals of the 800m run as she placed 6th in the prelims. Pingel ran a time of 2:17.47 and will compete at 2:10 PM on Saturday for the event championship. Nicole Harms (SO/Sterling, Neb.) placed 31st in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.25 seconds.

In field events, Lindsay Adams (FR/Omaha, Neb.) took 18th place with a mark of 5.37m (17-07.50). In the women's weight throw, Macy Fuller (SO/Kearney, Neb.) had the top Tiger mark with a throw of 16.10m (52-10.00) to place 16th. Joey Stenson (SR/Denver, Colo.) finished 25th with a mark of 14.49m (47-06.50). Allison Skala (SR/North Platte, Neb.) did not hit a mark in her attempts.

Doane is scheduled to send three to the competition area for field events on Saturday. Skala and Campbell will compete in their respective shot put events and Sarah Theiler (SO/Arlington, Neb.) will compete in the high jump. Pingel is the lone Tiger scheduled to compete on the track.