CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- As two individuals who appeared in the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in 2024 as freshmen in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and the discus, Isaiah Lanoy and Alan Austin have made it known that they are more than hungry to get back to challenging the nation's best in their respective events.
Austin, who knocked down his opportunity and got it out of the way in the opening meet of the outdoor season at the Cumberlands (Ky.) Early Spring Invite, accumulated his fifth consecutive NAIA National Standard mark in the discus in as many outdoor meets with a 49.30 meter performance to finish second of 31 individuals at the Lee Athletics Fast Break Invite, while Isaiah Lanoy officially knocked the door down to his second consecutive NAIA National Championship appearance in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, running a 9:25.38 to finish fourth out of 21 individuals -- as the duo led the Shawnee State men's track and field program Saturday at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.
Lanoy, who opened up action on the day, proved to be terrific in the event as the freshman, in finishing fourth, was among the quartet who were the only runners to post under a 9:30 in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
In doing so, Lanoy bettered 12 NCAA Division II runners in the event -- and became the eighth-fastest 3,000 meter steeplechase runner in the NAIA in the process of doing so this season.
With Saturday's effort, Isaiah Lanoy joins women's track and field distance runner Olivia Cisco in going 4-for-4 in terms of NAIA National Championship qualification -- as the sophomore previously qualified for the 2024 NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, the 2024 NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships and the 2025 NAIA Men's Indoor Track and Field National Championships as well.
"I am very happy that Isaiah was able to hit the national standard out of the way and look towards May," Shawnee State Director of Cross Country and Track and Field
Conner Flynn said. "For him to run that time just 20 hours after setting a PB in the 5,000m is very encouraging for his steeplechase performances ahead."
Despite not hitting his personal best for the season Saturday, Austin's discus performance was still quite impressive relative to that of his highly competitive competition. In all, the sophomore bested 22 NCAA Division II participants as well as seven NAIA throws and an unattached hurler en route to another high-quality performance.
In addition to Austin and Lanoy, Luke Rader posted a 41-foot, five-inch triple jump -- or 12.62 meters -- to place fifth in that event, and ran a 15.46 in the 110 meter hurdles to beat out five NCAA Division II participants for a 10th place finish in a strong 110 meter hurdle field.
Trevor Lanoy, who ran in the 800 meters Saturday as well, finished 53rd with a 2:00.32 -- beating five NCAA Division II runners and a NCAA Division I runner from Georgia Tech with his time to conclude Saturday's matters.
The men's track and field program will be back in action alongside the women's track and field program Friday, April 18 when the Bears compete at the Otterbein Twilight Meet, which will be held in Westerville, Ohio.
