GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Friends University Falcons made their mark at the 2025-26 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championship this weekend at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center at Celebration Pointe in Gainesville, Florida. The Falcons produced a national champion, a national runner-up and five PR's overall in the event. 

Friends University Athletics Player Highlights
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Carter Giittinger stood out among a crowded group of solid performances for the Falcons, claiming the national title and and an All-America nod that came with it in the Men's Heptathlon with a school record 5,466 points that also ranks as the fourth most in NAIA history. Giittinger's title was fueled by second place finishes in both the Pole Vault and 60 Hurdles along with a third-place showing in the Shot Put. 

Tiyna Ridge also shined again for the Falcons, putting a bow on her historic indoor season with an All-American runner-up finish in the Women's 60 Meter Dash. Ridge came within .01 seconds of giving the Falcons their second national title of the weekend with a time of 7.32, again breaking her own school record while running the eighth fastest mark in NAIA history. 

Ian Russell clocked a PR of 1:20.87, placing 18th overall in the men's 600 meter run preliminaries. Spencer Hines participated in the same event, finishing with a time of 1:21.33. Hines also competed with Marcus London, Eddy Rachedi and Logan Barnhill on the men's 4 x 400 relay team, which placed 19th with a time of 3:17.01, their best mark of the season.

Payton Willits competed in the men's long jump, achieving a mark of 7.04 meters (23' 1.25"), securing a 15th-place finish. Julian Winters represented Friends in the men's weight throw, recording a mark of 17.72 meters (58' 1.75") to come in 17th in the competition.

Abby Green narrowly missed an All-American in the women's weight throw, achieving a PR of 16.93m (55' 6.5"), which placed her ninth overall. 

Fien Molenberg competed in the women's 600 meters preliminaries, finishing 10th with a PR time of 1:33.83.  

Isabella Garito and Aaliyah Ramirez both competed in the women's pole vault, each clearing a height of 3.55m (11' 7.75") and tying for 14th place. 

Aneesa Sheppard participated in both the women's long jump and triple jump events. Sheppard recorded a mark of 5.09m (16' 8.5") in the long jump and achieved a distance of 11.52m (37' 9.5") in the triple jump. 

The final team scores saw the Falcon Men tie for 25th in the nation (10 points) and the Falcon Women tie for 36th overall (eight points). 

Both Falcon track & field programs will now set their sights on the outdoor season, starting on Mar. 20th at the Nelson Invitational in Waxahachie, Texas. 

Friends University Athletics Results Summary

- Men's Heptathlon — Carter Giittinger, 1st, 5,466 Points (PR)
- Men's Long Jump — Payton Willits, 15th, 7.04m
- Men's Weight Throw — Julian Winters, 17th, 17.72m
- Men's 600 Meters — Ian Russell, 18th, 1:20.87 (PR); Spencer Hines, 19th, 1:21.33
- Men's 4 x 400 Relay Preliminaries — Friends (Marcus London, Spencer Hines, Eddy Rachedi, Logan Barnhill), 19th, 3:17.01
- Women's 60 Meters Finals — 2nd: Tiyna Ridge, 7.32 (PR)
- Women's Weight Throw — 9th: Abby Green, 16.93m (PR)
- Women's 600 Meters Preliminaries — 10th: Fien Molenberg, 1:33.83 (PR)
- Women's Pole Vault — 14th: Isabella Garito, 3.55m; 14th: Aaliyah Ramirez, 3.55m
- Women's Triple Jump — 18th: Aneesa Sheppard, 11.52m
- Women's Long Jump — 29th: Aneesa Sheppard, 5.09m

Friends head coach Henry Brun on the Falcons' performance at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships: 

"We had a strong week down in Gainesville for NAIAs. I am really proud of how all our qualifiers competed - they were prepared and they fought hard. Even with some minor adversities leading into the days of competition, everyone stayed committed to the mission of representing Friends on the highest stage. 

From the men's 4x400m relay breaking the school record to a number of PRs and first-time qualifiers improving their rankings, it was great to see the energy that each athlete brought. 

We had been planning for a run at the National Title in the Heptathlon with Carter since he finished 5^th last season. We knew that, with the right game plan, we could put ourselves in a position to take the top spot. He came in completely locked in. He matched or surpassed lifetime bests in 5 of the 7 events, including a monster PR in the 1k to etch his name in NAIA history with his #4 all-time point total. 

Tiyna had been preparing for the NAIA 60m final since her first national qualifying race in December. We knew it would be a showdown with a sprinter who had significantly more experience globally, but we knew that we had a plan that could give her a chance to contend. I was in awe of the confidence and composure Tiyna took to the track - and what a race! To finish as the National Runner-Up and become the #8 all-time 60m sprinter in NAIA history is so incredible. 

The biggest takeaway from this weekend was how proud our staff was of the development of these young athletes. In a sports era where too many coaches simply "buy" talent, we are sticking to our philosophy of finding the overlooked and underdeveloped and truly walking with them. When your National Champions and All-Americans are HOME GROWN, it makes it so much sweeter."