Following Division 2 record in January at CrossPlex, Noble surges late to hold off Harding to secure memorable championship for Flames; Bailey produces big win in women’s 5,000 and Williamson captures second crown in as many days, with Pittsburg State men and Grand Valley State women taking DMR titles

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Neither were easy to achieve, but Christian Noble now has the NCAA Division 2 indoor record in the 5,000 meters, as well as the national championship.

Noble became the first athlete in Lee University (Tennessee) history to win a title Friday, rallying past fellow senior Isaac Harding of Grand Valley State on the final lap to prevail in 13 minutes, 47.45 seconds for the Flames at the Division 2 Indoor Championships at the CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala.

Noble, who ran 13:37.39 on Jan. 24 as part of the Magic City Elite Series, didn’t receive credit for the division record until weeks after the race, since Wavelight technology was used during the race at the CrossPlex.

He took the lead for the first time with less than a mile to go Friday, only to have Dylan Ko of Colorado School of Mines and Harding respond to move in front with 400 meters remaining.

But Noble first moved past Ko, setting up a battle against Harding on the final lap. Noble covered the final 200 in 28.05 seconds, more than a second ahead of Harding’s 29.15 split on the last lap to prevail.

Harding clocked 13:48.36, with Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference athletes Loic Scomparin (13:49.09) and Ko (13:50.29) from Colorado School of Mines, along with Charlie Sweeney of Western Colorado clocking 13:51.0, as eight athletes ran under 14 minutes.

The women’s 5,000 was a dominant showcase for Indianapolis senior Lauren Bailey, who clocked 16:03.98, the second-fastest time on a 200-meter banked track and No. 4 overall on all indoor surfaces in Division 2 history.

Bailey eclipsed the 2019 championship meet record 16:06.37 achieved in 2019 by Alaska-Anchorage star Caroline Kurgat, securing the first title for Indy in any event since 2006 and only the second women’s crown in program history.

West Texas A&M junior Florence Uwajeneza finished second in 16:10.32 and Colorado School of Mines sophomore Zoe Baker took third in 16:25.64.

The distance medley relay finals also offered a contrast in final outcomes, with the men’s race being decided by the narrowest of margins and the women’s competition turning into a runaway.

Mason Strader led Pittsburg State to its first DMR title, edging Caleb Futter of Grand Valley State at the line to prevail by a 9:46.68 to 9:46.69 margin. Missouri Southern was third in 9:46.89.

Connar Southard, Graham Hudelson and Matt Wilson gave Strader the lead entering the anchor leg and he clocked 4:06.89 to hold off Futter, who split 4:06.55 over the final 1,600 meters.

Hannah Roeske, Jessica Eby, Taryn Chapko and Allie Ludge produced a dominant effort for Grand Valley State, which secured its first DMR title since 2012 and third in program history by running 11:21.94.

The Lakers, who ran 11:21.12 on their home oversized track Feb. 13, led from wire to wire Friday over runner-up Colorado State-Pueblo (11:33.55).

Grand Valley State added another women’s championship in the pole vault, with senior Elliane Kimes clearing 13-7.25 (4.15m) on her second attempt to secure the Lakers’ first title in the event since 2016 and the third in program history.

Pittsburg State secured another men’s crown in the heptathlon, its first for the program, with Trey Mooney accumulating 5,567 points to elevate to No. 8 all-time in Division 2. 

Mooney was able to hold off Texas A&M-Kingsville senior Johnathon Harper, who finished with 5,525 points. Harper was already No. 9 in Division 2 history with his 5,561 effort from last year.

Harper trailed by 275 points following Thursday’s four events, but prevailed by an 8.13 to 8.69 margin in the 60-meter hurdles, soared to 15-5 (4.70m) versus 14-9 (4.50m) for Mooney in the pole vault, and clocked 2:45.29 in comparison to 2:49.14 by Mooney in the 1,000 meters to account for the 42-point final margin.  

Saginaw Valley State had produced one women’s title in any event in program history before this year’s championship meet, with Sue Breternitz winning the shot put in 1991.

But sophomore Cheyenne Williamson added her second crown in as many days, following her pentathlon victory Thursday by producing a third-round mark of 20-10 (6.35m) in the long jump to elevate to No. 7 in Division 2 history.

Williamson could add more gold Saturday, as she is scheduled to run in the finals of the 60-meter hurdles and the 4x400 relay.

Texas A&M-Commerce freshman Ushan Perera cleared 7-5 (2.26m) on his second attempt to equal the No. 4 all-time men’s indoor high jump mark in the division. It marked the first high jump title for the Lions.

Senior Kizan David of Lincoln (Missouri) delivered a leap of 25-1.75 (7.66m) in the final round of the men’s long jump to capture the seventh overall title in the event for the Blue Tigers.

Montevallo senior Dashaun Morgan jumped 24-11.75 (7.61m) in the first round, but only managed 23-6.25 (7.17m) on the final attempt of the competition after David took the lead.

David became the fourth athlete from Lincoln to win a long jump championship, joining Kevin Bartlett (2002-03), Wilbert Walker (2006 and 2008) and Sedeekie Edie (2016 and 2018).

Tiffin seniors Ralph Casper and Nikolas Curtiss swept the top two spots in the men’s shot put.

Casper had a mark of 62-11.25 (19.18m) in the fifth round, securing the second shot put championship in program history following Coy Blair in 2017, and Curtiss produced an effort of 62-1.25 (18.93m) in the fourth round.

West Texas A&M senior Zada Swoopes won the women’s shot put title with a performance of 57-4.25 (17.48m) in the third round.

Swoopes, who placed fifth at the 2019 indoor final, elevated to the No. 3 all-time competitor in Division 2 to capture the first championship in the event for the Buffaloes.

Fort Hays State freshman Alexandra Hart cleared 6 feet (1.83m) on her second attempt to win the women’s high jump crown. It marked the first title in any event since 2011 for the Tigers.

After helping Ashland place fifth Friday in the men’s DMR, senior Trevor Bassitt is scheduled to run in the finals Saturday of the 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, 200 meters and 4x400 relay.