Caleb Pouliot won the Pole Vault and The Master's Men's Distance Medley Relay team won as well at the 2023 NAIA Indoor National Championships held in Brookings, S.D.
This was the first time The Master's had ever competed in indoor track.
Pouliot cleared 5.10 meters (16' -Â 8 3/4") to tie his season high and claim the top step of the podium.
"I don't deserve to win and I don't deserve to be on such an amazing team," Pouliot said. "I have such great support from so many people. I couldn't have done anything without the Lord and his favor. Along with Coach Schroeder,
Amie Schroeder, Brian Yokoyama, Michael Pouliot, Coach Dylan, Lamont Nash, Westmont College, Nick Paramo, and my roommates in apartment five."
The men's DMR team of
Zach Garey, Sam Jean,
Anthony Ghiorso and
Davis Boggess set a new school record with their 9:59.47 to earn the championship and All-American status.
"Words cannot describe how much this was not supposed to happen today," said Anthony Ghiroso. "The caliber of athletes in the DMR this year is crazy and I cannot explain how incredible it was to even make it to the finals to compete with these men. We never even dreamed this could happen but it did and it is ALL a testament to God's immense goodness. Let today be a testament to God choosing weak vessels in order to bring Himself more glory because none of this was our own strength. Our message as a team is this: Jesus is King and he died over two thousand years ago to save sinners who will confess of their sin and confess Him as Lord and turn from all unrighteousness and follow Him. We will always proclaim this, from the top of the podium, or dead last. This was my last dance and just an incredible blessing from the Lord as my last collegiate race."
Boggess also finished third in the men's mile (4:08.62) to also earn the title of All-American.
Hunter Romine took eighth in the Men's 5000m (14:50.89) and was also named All-American.
On the women's side, the DMR team of Ellen Palmgren, Micaiah Scott, Rebekah Niednagel and Hannah Fredericks finished fourth in a school record time of 11:53.84. All four athletes will share the All-American honor.
Fredericks also finished third in the 1000m (2:55.17), becoming the first Lady Mustang to earn All-American in the event.
Palmgren finished eighth in the Women's 600m (1:38.42) to also become the first Lady Mustang to earn All-American in the event.
"Praise the Lord for such a sweet day," Palmgren said. "Truly He was sustaining each and every one of us through our efforts today. The Joy of the Lord is our strength and we lift His name high in our running. I pray that our performances will point people to Christ and that many would repent and believe. The sacrifices we made this whole week for each other is nothing compared to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ for us on the cross. Praise the Lord that He has given us the opportunity to run for more than our glory, but that we can be a part of God's kingdom plan through our running."
Pouliot summed up the mindset of every athlete competing for The Master's on this final day of competition.
"The whole day I had one word in mind and that was 'Faith'," Pouliot said. "This one word made me rely on God for everything. Even when I was on my third attempt at 5.00m I kept saying, 'There is no doubt in faith.' I ended up clearing the height and was just grateful for God and His faithfulness. I'm grateful that God is using track in my life to grow my relationship with Him. Praise God for all the people He has put into my life who love me because He first loved them."
