GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jonny The Jet Jurchen continues to earn his nickname. On day two of the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships, the Jurchen speed walked his way to a new school record while attaining All-America status for a second straight year. Another All-America award was claimed by Nathan Baldwin, who unleased a personal best in the weight throw. Meanwhile, the accomplished Adrianna Rodencal has advanced to the 60-meter hurdle finals as she chases greatness. A total of eight Bulldogs were in action on Friday (March 6) at Alachua County Sports & Events Center in Gainesville, Fla.
The Concordia men are on the board with nine team points thanks to Baldwin and Jurchen. Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads hope to collect more hardware on Saturday with five athletes in competition.
Both Jurchen and freshman Jack Habegger reached the finals of the 3,000-meter racewalk courtesy of their efforts on day one of the national meet. In kicking off the day on Friday, the sophomore Jurchen blazed to a time of 12:14.38, putting him sixth in an exceptionally fast NAIA racewalk. The former school record of 12:15.95 was held by national champion Chris Tegtmeier. As for Habegger, he placed 10th in a time of 12:58.0 while appearing at nationals for the first time. A standout season for Jurchen also included a GPAC championship and conference meet record.
The Sutton, Neb., native Baldwin ended the day with a bang. After squeezing into the last spot (ninth) in the finals of the weight throw, Baldwin rose to the occasion. His final throw soared a personal best of 63’ 4,” moving him all the way up to third place (and to sixth on the program's all-time list). A 2025 discus All-American, Baldwin seized the second All-America award of his career. Elsewhere in the throws, Josiah Edwards exceeded 60 feet (60’ ¼”) in the weight throw and placed 11th. It was his first time experiencing a national meet. On the women’s side of the weight throw, Harper Boche placed 17th with a toss of 53’ 7.”
Seeded first nationally in the 60 hurdles, Rodencal paced the field in Friday’s prelims as she ran 8.38. The runner up, JayOnna Perry of Ottawa University (Kan.), crossed the finish line in 8.49. The goal for Saturday is a clear one for Rodencal, who was an outdoor national runner up last year in the 400-meter hurdles. She’ll have one more opportunity to improve upon her school record time of 8.26 in the 60 hurdles. Rodencal is a four-time All-American.
On the men’s side of the 60 hurdles, junior Hayden Kluthe fell just short of reaching the finals. The Ord, Neb., native challenged his personal best while running 8.08 in the prelims. Kluthe finished in 10th place in his first opportunity at a national championship meet. The slowest finals qualifying time wound up being 8.07. Kluthe owns the school record in the 60 hurdles at 8.04.
Senior Hannah Beintema also appeared in the 3,000-meter racewalk on Friday. She completed the race in 20:37.61, placing 19th. Beintema found her way onto the national stage in track for the first time after making two prior trips to nationals in cross country. Beintema only recently picked up the racewalk.
Five Bulldogs will be in action on the third and final day of the championship meet (see schedule below). The action will get started at 11:30 a.m. local time in Gainesville with Makenna Starkey in the high jump. Rodencal will be back on the track at 12:45 p.m. for the 60 hurdles finals.
2026 NAIA Indoor All-Americans
· Nathan Baldwin: weight throw (3rd; 63’ 4”)
· Jonny Jurchen: 3,000-meter race walk (6th; 12:14.38)
Saturday, March 7
Times are EST to reflect local time in Gainesville, Fla.
· 11:30 a.m. – Women’s High Jump: Makenna Starkey
· 12:45 p.m. – Women’s 60 Hurdles Finals: Adrianna Rodencal
· 1:15 p.m. – Men’s Pole Vault: Evan Hill and Jax Jacobson
· 2:30 p.m. – Men’s Shot Put: Nathan Baldwin