VU thrower Armin Beham named All-American as Trailblazers compete at Indoor Nationals

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Vincennes University freshman thrower Armin Beham (Austria) received All-American honors for his performance at the 2022 NJCAA Indoor National Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas this weekend.

Beham placed sixth against some of the best throwers in the country with a best throw of 15.90 meters to receive the honor.

Sophomore Manamanya Opiew (Indianapolis, Ind.) and freshman Mathew Keitany (Kenya) had busy weekends, competing in three different events during the two-day meet.

Opiew finished with the 25th fastest time in the 800 meter race at 1:59.01 and Keitany placed 23rd in the Mile at 4:19.96.

The duo teamed up to place 10th in the 4x800 meter relay with sophomore Trenton Faulkner (Vincennes, Ind.) and freshman Ernest Momodu at 7:59.19 and would later take 10th in the men's Distance Medley Relay with freshman Yamar Lyons (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and Faulkner at 10:16.02.

VU sophomore Kyle Stewart (Evansville, Ind.) came away with a 12th-place finish in the long jump after reaching 7.09 meters.

Freshman Nicholas Stanislaus (Grenada) placed 13th in the triple jump after reaching a distance of 13.76 meters.

On the women's side sophomore Kyra Young (South Bend, Ind.) and Chloe Knepp (Montgomery, Ind.) each pulled double duty with Young taking 18th in the mile at 5:33.01 and Knepp placing 21st in the 400 meter race at 1:02.73.

Knepp and Young each took part in the women's Distance Medley Relay with freshman Brittany Page (Bicknell, Ind.) and Hope Laughlin (Olney, Ill.) to finish 14th at 13:48.54.

"The women got things going with a 32 second PR in the DMR," VU Track and Field Head Coach Marty Rogier said. "That was with Kyra easing up in her mile split to save something for the open mile Saturday. Hope Laughlin ran a very good leg of the relay for us as well."

"The men's DMR team set a new PR by 34 seconds, with Mathew Keitany having an incredible 4:13 mile split," Rogier added. "They all ran well but that mile was special. They finished 10th and were just two seconds out of scoring."

"Chloe and Manamanya both ran a little slower than their seeded times in their individual races but both had to run the DMR earlier in the day, so it was tough to double back against this competition."

"Armin had a big day setting a new PR by over a meter to place sixth and be named an All-American. His better events will come during outdoor season with discus and hammer, so big things are still ahead of him."

"The men's 4x800 ran the fourth fastest indoor time in school history and placed 10th Saturday. Keitany had a nice race in the open mile with a time of 4:19, just missing the top-five in school history in his third race of the meet. It was an outstanding meet for Mathew, his split of the DMR was even faster than his open mile, so I see really good things to come for him."

"Kyra and Nicholas both had off days, but I believe next year Nicholas will be a serious contender for the heptathlon."

The Trailblazers will return to the track at the end of March as VU begins their Outdoor Track and Field season Saturday, March 26 when Vincennes hosts the Bill Smith Invitational.

"Overall, it was just an outstanding meet for Vincennes against some incredible competition," Rogier said. "This really showcased how strong Track and Field is at the Junior College level."

VINCENNES RESULTS

MEN'S RESULTS

800 Meters

Manamanya Opiew – 25, 1:59.01

1 Mile

Mathew Keitany – 23, 4:19.96

4x800

Faulkner, Keitany, Momodu, Opiew – 10, 7:59.19

DMR

Opiew, Lyons, Faulkner, Keitany – 10, 10:16.02

Long Jump

Kyle Stewart – 12, 7.09m

Triple Jump

Nicholas Stanislaus – 13, 13.76m

Weight Throw

Armin Beham – 6, 15.90m

WOMEN'S RESULTS

400 Meter

Chloe Knepp – 21, 1:02.73

1 Mile

Kyra Young – 18, 5:33.01

DMR

Page, Knepp, Laughlin, Young – 14, 13:48.54