I know NAIA is not talked about much anymore considering that most of the schools are now branching off and becoming either NCAA Division 1 or Division 2 institutions now. My thoughts are who are the best runners ever to race in the NAIA? Also what were some of the best races ever run at an NAIA National Championship that people of have seen?
V/R,
NAIA Alumni
I remember when Lubbock Christian brought in all the Kenyans in the early 90's and were unbeatable. I think they had one good American, one of the Shay brothers. I remember one year they were so good that they probably would have been the NCAA division 1 national champions. I recall them beating Arkansas that year at some big meets. Hillsdale, Simon Fraser, and Malone all had some good teams during that time, but were essentially racing for second. After that, I think Life brought in Kenyans and it shifted to them.
There are many more than what I'm listing, but here are a few:
Decathletes: Bruce Jenner, Bryan Clay, Dave Johnson and Jeff Bennett
Sprinters: Bob Hayes, Jim Hines and Larry Black
Hurdles: Rod Milburn and Willie Davenport
Middle Distance: Mike Boit
Distance: Pat Porter
Pole Vault: Jenn Suhr (Stuczynski) and Billy Olsen
Jumps: Ralph Boston
Most memorable race I've seen:
Mile Relay at the 1978 Indoors. Jackson State and Abilene Christian were tied at 75 points going into the final event. They had the top two times in the event, Jackson State had the individual 400m Champion (Dennis Duckworth) and Abilene Christian had the runner up (Bill Cork, also the runner up in the high jump). Jackson State ran Duckworth on the first leg and held the lead until the final leg. The anchor leg runners got tangled and both teams were disqualified. I Imagine it was interesting when the teams shared the podium for the awards ceremony.
Pat 'The Panther' Porter was the best NAIA track and XC runner. Ever. Hard to believe that next week he will have been gone from this earth for five years.
Such a smooth runner.
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