Trailblazers Set for NJCAA Indoor National Championships

VINCENNES, Ind. — Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field will compete March 6–7 at the NJCAA Indoor National Championships, hosted by Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. The Trailblazers enter the meet with qualifiers across distance, relay and field events following an indoor season that produced multiple school records and national marks.

"Nationals are always exciting because it's where our athletes get to show the results of the work they've put in all season," stated first-year Head Coach Michael Mangan. "I'm excited to see them compete on that stage."

Men

Freshman Iheb Slimani leads the Trailblazers' distance qualifiers and will compete in several events. Slimani enters nationals ranked No. 5 nationally in the 3000 meters (8:16.16, VU No. 1 all-time), No. 6 nationally in the mile (4:07.35, VU No. 1 all-time), and No. 7 nationally in the 1000 meters (2:25.37, VU No. 1 all-time). He also qualified in the 800 meters (1:53.76).

Sophomore Anis Abdaoui also qualified in multiple events, including being ranked No. 7 nationally in the mile (4:07.39, VU No. 3 all-time), while also qualifying in the 1000 meters (2:26.00, VU No. 2 all-time), 3000 meters (8:32.27, VU No. 3 all-time) and 800 meters (1:53.88, VU No. 1 all-time). "Anis comes in looking to build on last year's sixth-place finish in the 1000 meters and compete for multiple All-American spots," Distance Coach Tyler Steigenga said.

Slimani and Abdaoui will also anchor the Trailblazers' relay lineup. VU qualified for the Distance Medley Relay —Abdaoui, freshman Travon Lane, freshman Jacob Kusbel, and Slimani — with a school-record time of 9:59.25 that currently ranks No. 5 nationally. Steigenga believes the group has room to improve at nationals. "We set the school record during our qualifier, but we had to run much of that race alone," Steigenga said. "With competition around them, this group has the potential to be even better."

The quartet also qualified the 4x800 relay (7:45.45). Steigenga noted both the men's and women's 4x800 relays have the potential to challenge school records and score points depending on the lineup.

In the sprints, sophomore Devin Wilson will compete in the 200 meters (22.03, VU No. 7 all-time) and as part of the Trailblazers' 4x400 relay — Wilson, sophomore ArTezz Butler-Sanders, freshman Jacob Kusbel and freshman Travon Lane — which qualified with a time of 3:18.21 (VU No. 4). "The men's 4x400 has developed well all season, and this is their chance to show that progress on the national stage," Mangan said.

In the field events, freshman Nate Robertson qualified in the weight throw (14.51 meters) after making strong progress in his first season in the event.

Women

Freshman Ikram Dorai leads the Trailblazers' women's qualifiers and will compete in multiple distance events. Dorai enters nationals ranked No. 9 nationally in the 3000 meters (9:56.82, VU No. 1 all-time), while also qualifying for the mile (4:59.67, VU No. 1 all-time), the 1000 meters (3:01.91, VU No. 2 all-time), and the 800 meters (2:22.25, VU No. 7 all-time) as well. Steigenga said the 3000 meters may present Dorai's strongest opportunity. "The 3000 meters is where Ikram is ranked highest nationally, and she has the potential to finish very well in that race," Steigenga said.

Sophomore Sarra Belgacem qualified in the 800 meters (2:21.16, VU No. 3 all-time) and will also compete on VU's relay units. Belgacem joins freshman Amani Aloui, freshman Madison Senne and Dorai on the 4x800 relay (9:42.59) with a No. 10 nationally-ranked time.

The Trailblazer women also qualified a Distance Medley Relay —Belgacem, freshman Brielle Seiler, freshman Madison Senne, and Dorai — with a No. 10 nationally-ranked time of 12:31.70 (VU No. 2 all-time). Steigenga said the relay lineup has strong depth heading into the championship meet. "We weren't at full strength when we ran our national qualifier but still posted the second-fastest time in program history," Steigenga said. "Our depth gives us several strong lineup options."

Freshman Elizabeth Smith provides another scoring opportunity in the distance events, qualifying in the 5000 meters (18:03.15, VU No. 2 all-time) and 3000 meters (10:32.28, VU No. 4 all-time). Steigenga said Smith could contend for a top finish in the longer race. "Liz ran a strong qualifier in the 5000 meters and has the potential to be in the mix for a top-eight finish," Steigenga said.

In the field events, freshman Kapri Granger enters nationals ranked No. 7 nationally in the pole vault (3.52 meters, VU No. 9), while freshman McKenna Poyser qualified with a mark of 3.11 meters. Mangan said the duo highlights the strength of the program's vault group. "Kapri has built momentum throughout the season and will be a contender for All-American honors," Mangan said. "Having McKenna there as well shows the depth of our pole vault program."

Freshman Greer Hardin will also compete in the high jump (1.55 meters, VU No. 9), Seiler in the 200 meters (26.76) while freshman Elena Gabellini qualified in the weight throw (13.42 meters) after making steady progress during her first indoor season.

Mangan said the national meet will be an opportunity for the Trailblazers to test themselves against the best in the country. "This is the moment our athletes have been working toward all season," Mangan said. "We're excited to see how they rise to the challenge."

First event start time is scheduled for 9:00am CST. The full event schedule can be found here as well as live results.