MARION, Ind. -- Throughout much of its history as a track and field program on both the indoor and outdoor sides of the spectrum, the Shawnee State men's and women's track and field programs have been largely represented at the NAIA National Championships by distance running talents as a part of the proud tradition that Shawnee State has built in that area.
However, between an All-American effort in the shot put last season and its efforts in field events throughout the 2024-25 campaign, it is clear that the Bears are becoming well-rounded in all facets of track and field.
On Thursday, two of the best athletes from the Tri-State Area realm and in a Shawnee State uniform rose to the bright lights, as they have in clutch moments throughout 2025.
Shawnee State long jumper Luke Rader and Shawnee State true freshman Eli Adkins are freak athletes in the purest meaning of the phrase -- and throughout Thursday, the duo were the show.
Rader posted a personal best jump of 24 feet, one inch in the long jump to earn his second career NAIA All-American honor while Adkins, in his first-ever NAIA National Track and Field Championship appearance as a true freshman, cleared six feet, five inches to join Rader on the podium Thursday as Rader's seventh-place long jump and Adkins' eighth-place high jump allowed the duo to obtain NAIA All-American honors Thursday evening at the Indiana Wesleyan University Track and Field Complex in Marion, Ind.
Rader rips off second NAIA All-American long jump honor in as many national championship appearances
Following a NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championship long jump that was 23 feet, 11 inches (7.29 meters) that resulted in the Minford native's first NAIA All-American honor back in March, the talented leaper put on a further display of athletic excellence in Thursday's long jump.
Seeded 18th in the event after needing to qualify in early May, and doing so at the Harrison Dillard Twilight Meet, the last meet prior to the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships with a personal best jump of 23 feet, 11-and-a-half inches (7.3 meters) -- Rader popped off with another personal best, jumping 24 feet and one half-inch (7.33 meters) on his third and final preliminary jump in the opening flight to put Rader third in the flight, and seventh overall, allowing Rader to easily qualify for the final round of competition.
Rader then solidified his position in the top-eight in the finals, as the Minford High School alum set his second personal best of the day with a 24-foot, one-inch (7.34-meter) jump to seal a fantastic seventh-place showing that stands as his second NAIA All-American honor and his new NAIA National Championship best finishing position to date.
"Luke always shows up when his back is against the wall," Shawnee State Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Conner Flynn said. "He is the ultimate competitor and steps up in critical moments. The way he came through to make the finals and ultimately earn All-American honors was great to watch."
New Kid On The Block: Adkins caps strong outdoor season with first NAIA All-American accolade
A talented leaper full of tantalizing potential in his own right, Shawnee State's Eli Adkins qualified in late April with his River States Conference-winning jump of six feet, nine inches.
Despite a blustry day that was less than ideal for many field event participants, Adkins proved to be among the few high jumpers who were able to overcome the conditions to post a nationally stout mark.
On his second attempt, Adkins cleared six feet, five-and-a-quarter inches (1.96 meters), and through 24 jumpers, Adkins was one of only 12 to successfully clear the bar at that height.
By virtue of clearing the bar on that second try alongside Clarke (Iowa)'s Daniel Adams and Ottawa (Kan.)'s Ovane Williams, Adkins shared the eighth and final NAIA All-American spot with the aforementioned duo, giving the Greenup County High School alum his first NAIA All-American honor in his first NAIA National Championship appearance. It is the second consecutive season where a Shawnee State true freshman field athlete has obtained NAIA All-American honors.
"Eli may not have had his best day, but when it's cold and windy, it depends on who can overcome it," Flynn said. "I'm happy that Eli was able to continue to compete and earn his first All-American."
Additional
Alan Austin also competed Thursday evening, but blustry conditions that featured wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour made the going difficult for discus throwers, as Austin ultimately fouled each of his three attempts in the event.
Despite this, Austin was the first outdoor track and field athlete to set a NAIA National Standard this season, setting the tone for everybody else who ended up qualifying. Austin also earned the River States Conference's Field Athlete of the Year honor and set a NAIA National Standard in the discus throw in seven different outdoor track and field competitions in 2025.
The men's track and field program at Shawnee State will have one final competitor in 2025 as Isaiah Lanoy will be back in action on the third and final day of the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field National Championships when Lanoy competes at 1:20 p.m. in the 3,000 meter steeplechase finals. To watch that event, visit https://www.naia.org/watch/index.
