July 1, 2009

Some information courtesy of USA Track & Field

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships recently wrapped up and several NAIA athletes, both former and current, participated in the three-day event from June 25-28. Located in Eugene, Ore., at Hayward Field, the event served as the selection for the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany, August 15-23. The University of Oregon was the host and the event was televised on ESPN and NBC.

In the Decathlon, Mike Marsh took eighth in the field of 17 athletes with a total score of 7,534 points. He is an assistant coach at Azusa Pacific (Calif.). Marsh is on the coaching staff that led the Cougars to the 2009 NAIA Indoor and Outdoor National Titles. Mike is a 2002 graduate of Cedarville (Ohio). Trey Hardee, represented by Nike, finished first with a score of 8,261.

Former Oklahoma Baptist and Lindenwood (Mo.) sprinter Michael Rodgers came in first-place in the 100-Meters with a clocking of 9.91. In his senior season at OBU, Rodgers led the Bison to the 2007 national outdoor title. He won the 100 meters, placed second in the 200 meters and anchored the national champion 4x100 relay team. In his final indoor season as a Bison, Rodgers set the NAIA record in the 60 meters and also claimed the national title in the 200-meters. Rodgers also holds the record for fastest 100-meters dash time in Lindenwood history with his time of 10.25 seconds.

See related story on Rodgers.

Patrick Stroupe, formerly an athlete at Central Methodist (Mo.), finished second in the 22:10.76.

In the Women’s Pole Vault, Jennifer Stuczynski gained a mark of 15’ 3” (4.65m) to take top medalist honors. Stuczynski set an American record last year by clearing a mark of 16’ 1 ¾ in this same event. Professionally, Stuczynski is a two-time USA Outdoor champion and a three-time USA Indoor champion in the pole vault.  Not only was she a spectacular track athlete at Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.), but she was also a standout basketball player, averaging 24.3 points and 6.7 rebounds a game during the 2003-04 season and led Roberts Wesleyan to the national championship game. She graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,819 career points. Stuczynski was also the 2005 NAIA Indoor champion in the pole vault. Stuczynski competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Concordia (Neb.) senior Chris Tegtmeier finished seventh in the 21:59.98.

See related story on Tegtmeier.

Hayward Field was the site of the '72, '76, '80, and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Eugene has long been dubbed "Track Town, USA" for its rich track and field history and the community's overwhelming appreciation of the sport.

For more information on the event, click here.