By Bryan Wilkins and Beth Renkoski

03/13/09

Distance Duo Qualifies For NAIA Outdoor Nationals at Oxy Distance Carnival

Eagle Rock, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions are completely submerged into the outdoor track and field season already, just one week after the NAIA Indoor Championships were held. A limited group of Lions were impressive today on the campus of Occidental College where Vanguard qualified two distance runners for NAIA Outdoor Nationals with their fast times at the Oxy Distance Carnival.

Sophomore Christian de Glymes and freshman Matt Johnson became VU's first qualifiers for the NAIA National Outdoor Track & Field Championships following stellar races in the 10,000 meters at the ODC Friday night. De Glymes finished 5th in a field of 25 runners with a personal best 31:26.30 (well under the automatic qualifying standard of 31:50). De Glymes improved his personal best (set in the same race last year) by 15 seconds. The 10:05 p.m. start time produced perfect conditions for track's longest race with temperatures in the high 50's and relative calm.

Johnson, competing in his 10,000 meter debut, finished 8th overall in 31:45.88 (less than five seconds under the automatic standard). Johnson's final 1600 meters (clocked in a speedy 4:55) helped him secure the individual berth.

Freshman Noah Lopez also raced his first 10k on the track and posted a solid 33:27.22 mark to finish 17th overall.

Next weekend, March 21st, the Lions will be competing at the Hornet Invitational at Sacramento State University.

Vanguard University Men’s Track and Field Results