Taylor Track Touts 10 All-American Awards from Nationals
UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor men's and women's indoor track and field programs recently competed at the NAIA National Championships, earning a historic fifth-place finish in the women's standings and taking 33rd on the men's side. Along the way, TU snagged 10 NAIA All-American awards from eight student-athletes over five events at the three-day meet.
Jaynie Halterman led the way with an individual national championship in the 5,000-meters, with Abby Mays picking up All-American honors in the 1,000-meters and DMR and Noel VanderWall adding All-American honors in the mile and DMR. Nicole Domene and Emersyn Funk joined Mays and Vanderwall on the DMR, and Sam Patterson also claimed All-American status in the 5,000.
On the men's side, Nathan Burns and Ryan Hanak each raced to All-American recognition in the 3,000-meters.
In addition to the All-American performances, Taylor set four new program records at the National Championships on the women's side, topping the marks in the 1,000-meters, mile, 5,000-meters and distance-medley relay. TU's fifth-place finish on the women's side was also a program-best.
In order to receive NAIA All-American recognition, an athlete or relay must advance to the finals at the NAIA National Championships and record a top-eight finish.
Taylor University Indoor Track and Field NAIA All-Americans
Women's Team
Jaynie Halterman / 5,000 / National Champion
Abby Mays / 1,000 / 2nd
Abby Mays / Distance-Medley Relay / 2nd
Nicole Domene / Distance-Medley Relay / 2nd
Emersyn Funk / Distance-Medley Relay / 2nd
Noel VanderWall / Distance-Medley Relay / 2nd
Noel VanderWall / Mile / 4th
Sam Patterson / 5,000 / 5th
Men's Team
Nathan Burns / 3,000 / 4th
Ryan Hanak / 3,000 / 5th