OLLU's Indoor Track and Field Teams Make History at the NAIA Championships

BROOKINGS, S.D. (March 2, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Teams completed their season at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex. The three-day event was hosted by Dakota State University. 

Hendrick Ramirez qualified for the finals after finishing sixth in the One Mile preliminaries. In the finals held earlier today, Ramirez placed fifth overall and has received NAIA All-American recognition.  His time of 4:09.97 is an OLLU Indoor Track and Field Record. 

The Saints' 4x400m Relay Team qualified for the finals after finishing fourth in the preliminaries. In the finals held this evening, the team placed seventh. They include Julian Verastegui, Jalen Bell, Richard Davis and Cerrone Thompson, and all four received NAIA All-American recognition. Their time of 3:16.05 is an OLLU Indoor Track and Field Record. 

Head Coach Patrick Torres commented, "Every year, we take a small step forward. Hendrick Ramirez with an individual All-American finish and our 4x400m relay team being All-American is by far the best we've ever done indoors. Hopefully a big step comes next. 

The Saints' women's 4x400m Relay Team marked an OLLU Indoor Track and Field Record 4.02.11 time in the preliminaries. The team consisted of Morghan Neely, Autumn Roberts, Aziza Clark and Alexandria Segura. 

Torres commented about the women, "Our team had some hard lessons to learn at this championship but this is the experience that will get them prepared for an amazing outdoor and next year's indoor." 

Full results are listed below: