Men's Outdoor Track and Field 5/16/2025 10:25:00 AM

Track & Field Falcons flying high heading into NAIA National Championship meet next week

Photo Credit: Kortney Schutt

Marion, Ind. – The qualifiers have been announced for next week's NAIA National Championship meet in Marion, Ind. and the Friends University Falcons will have a stout contingent making the trip.

The Falcons will head into the meet with plenty of qualifiers and plenty of momentum, sparked by the Men's 4 X 400 Relay team of Daniel Castello, Spencer Hines, Carter Giittinger and Eddy Rachedi coming through in the clutch and recording a national berth with an NAIA A Standard performance of 3:13.44 at a last chance meet in Seward, Neb. last Friday (May 9).

"I am pretty excited about this group going into the NAIA meet," said Friends track & field head coach Henry Brun. "It is such a diverse crew, covering nearly every event group - which affirms our growth overall as a program. It is amazing to see the youth in this group, letting us know that the future is going to be bright. There are a number of opportunities for us to fight to make the finals and potentially come home with All-American honors. I can tell that this group is ready to contend. It's also so rewarding to see our seniors (Pablo, Mikkel, Anya) finish their careers at the national meet - all of them are so accomplished in the program and at the conference and national level."

Falcons participating at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships

Men

Daniel Castello (4 X 400 Meter Relay)

Carter Giittinger (4 X 400 Meter Relay)

Spencer Hines (4 X 400 Meter Relay)

Eddy Rachedi (4 X 400 Meter Relay)

Pablo Sanz-Rillo (5000m Race Walk)

Damon Scott (Long Jump)

Mikkel Tarver (Triple Jump)

Payton Willits (Long Jump)

Women

Valeria Crespo (4 X 100 Meter Relay)