TF Indoor Nationals

Johnson City, TN- Seven Highlanders competed at the 2007 NAIA Indoor National Track and Field Championships at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN over the weekend of March 8-10.

March 8th - The Highlanders Men's 4x800 Relay team (Dan Ballard, Josiah Snelgrove, Chad Stauring, and Ryan Fadden) competed in the semi-finals and ran a time of 7:48.59. This time improved the men's school record and reset their mark from earlier this season by nearly 7 seconds. Unfortunately they finished 1.5 seconds outside the qualifying mark for the finals, this time was good enough finishing 10th in the nation.

On Friday, March 9, Rachel Rhodes competed in the 3000m Race Walk with a time of 17:30.77. Rhodes finished in the top 6 receiving All-American honors. Naomi Christensen competed in the 400m prelims and finished with a time of 58.95. This was a PR for her career and also reset the school record. Naomi whoever missed the cut for the finals and finished with a final ranking of 11th in the nation in the 400.

Dan Ballard ran in the prelims of the Mile running a time of 4:22.67, finishing in 14th place. Ryan Fadden competed in the 800m prelims and ran a PR of 1:54.99 in the prelims qualifying for the finals of the 800.

On Saturday, March 10, Joe Mason competed in the Shot Put throwing 48' 8 1/4". ranking Mason 21st in the country. Ryan Fadden competed in the 800m finals finishing with another PR of 1:54.64. Fadden finished 6th in the race receiving All-American honors, a first in Houghton College Track and Field History for a male athlete.

Over the weekend the Highlanders produced 3 PRs (Naomi and both of Ryan's 800m runs), 2 school records (women's 400 and men's 4x800 Relay), and 2 All-Americans (Rachel Rhodes and Ryan Fadden).

Dan Ballard was recognized at the championship as a Champions of Character representative from Houghton College.

Houghton College has deep and solid roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play and in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference for the Kingdom on campus, in Allegany County, in the Northeast and around the world. Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the door for Houghton to be a leader, both in the Northeast and nationally, in character education. Through hands-on, innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working together to change the culture of sport and to change our culture through sport.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 12 2007 CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 12 2007
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648