GULF SHORES, Ala. – Zach Steele began Saturday with an incredible comeback in the Marathon, capturing All-American plaudits, and then Craig Boekenoogen capped off a historic career with an All-American showing in the 3000m Steeplechase, finishing a record-breaking NAIA National Championship meet for the Corban men's track & field team.
As a team, Corban finished higher than ever before in the overall standings, collecting eight points to place 34th overall. The eight points are more points than Corban has ever totaled, and the 34th-place finish is also the best showing in program history. Additionally, with three NAIA All-Americans in the same meet, it marks the first time that feat has ever been accomplished by the Warriors.
RESULTS
"The dedication of our coaching staff and the hard work these athletes put in paid off today," said Corban head coach Norm Berney. "There isn't too much more I can say but that they have set a standard for the other athletes to follow. Most of all, we thank God for the opportunity to compete at the NAIA National Championships."
Steele passed countless runners over the course of the final six miles of Saturday's Marathon, clocking a school-record time of 2:45:08.80, finishing in eighth place overall to collect NAIA All-American honors. For Steele, it marked his first-ever All-America accolade.
(Zach Steele placed eighth overall in the Marathon --- Photo Credit: Travis Rae)
Later in the day back on the track, Boekenoogen used his usual slow start to his advantage in the NAIA National Final of the 3000m Steeplechase. While coming from 16th place midway through the race, he passed runner after runner, and on the final straightaway, he finished with an incredible kick to pass a couple of more runners and placed fourth overall, garnering All-American honors in the process. He beat out the fifth-place runner in a photo finish by 0.01 seconds, crossing the finish line in a time of 9:18.28.
Boekenoogen's fourth-place finish is the highest a Corban runner (male or female) has ever placed at the NAIA National Championships.
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