ROME, Georgia – Oklahoma Baptist captured the National Christian College Athletic Association's outdoor track crowns Saturday, giving the Bison and Lady Bison a sweep of the association's track and field titles.
OBU swept the indoor championships in February.
Blake Bartlett was named Outstanding Performer of the Meet after winning the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x400 – all with meet records.
OBU also won Coaching Staff of the Year for both men and women. That staff includes Head Coach Ford Mastin and Assistant Coaches Matt Kennedy, Mark Heard and Pete Kron.
The Bison won nine events and had the runner-up in four events and the Lady Bison, who won four events, blew open a close meet late with 26 points in the 400 hurdles and 23 in the 5000 meters.
"What a bunch of great performances we had," said Mastin. "We just did so well and our depth is a big reason why we won."
The 4x100 relay team of T.J. Carmichael, Kenneth Combs, Devontrae Young and Bartlett won with a meet and school record at 40.05.
"I was disappointed they didn't get under 40 seconds because they are really good and this will be their last time to run together," Mastin said. "I really wanted that for them. There are some countries that don't go under 40 and we were really close."
The 4x400 relay team of JyWayne Allen, Combs, Bartlett and Clay Shepperson won in a meet record 3:09.84.
Bartlett won the 100 in 10.22 and the 200 in 20.48 seconds. Young was second in the 200 at 21.28 and Carmichael third at 21.41. Carmichael also was third in the 100 meters at 10.66 seconds.
"Blake should get some strong consideration for the Olympics," Mastin said. "T.J. ran personal bests in all three of his races. Devontrae has come a long way. He didn't score in the 5A State Meet last year and now he's setting records."
Jordan Patterson won the long jump with a meet record 24-4.5 and was second in the triple jump at 47-00.25.
Allen won the 400 meters in 47.58 seconds with Matthew Giudice getting fourth at 48.59.
Shepperson won the 800 meters in 1:53.20 with Sam Smith (1:56.59) in 10th, Thomas Uglean (1:59.75) in 18th and Jordan Masterson ((2:02.58) in 20th.
Combs won the 400 hurdles in 53.56 with Christopher Walker taking seventh at 56.24. Combs was second in the 110 high hurdles at 14.12 with Walker in seventh at 15.82.
Blaine Whitson was fourth in the 3000 meter steeplechase in 9:38.55.
Andrew Worley (4,995 points) was fifth and Kolten Speaks (4,411) sixth in the decathlon.
Nathan Crowson was ninth in the 1500 meters at 4:01.25 and Nathan Reed was 21st at 4:11.55.
Jacob Cochran took 17th in the shot put at 37-6.5.
The OBU men posted 48 points in the first day of the NCCAA Track and Field Championships for an 11-point lead heading into Saturday.
OBU scored 21 points in the pole vault, including a national title for Ryan Womack, who cleared 16-0.75. Spencer Lashley was third at 15-7 and Blaine Kilinic fourth at 14-7.25.
The men's 4x800 relay of Masterson, Uglean, Smith and Ayoub Akil placed second in 7:38.96.
Christian Johnson delivered points with a third-place finish in the high jump, clearing 6-6.
Brynden Pitzer added to the point total with a fourth-place finish in the discus with a three of 150-8. Jacob Cochran was 10th at 134-1.
"I really like this atmosphere at the NCCAAs," Mastin said. "The meet chaplain gathered all the seniors after the meet and had everybody come in around them and just pray for them. You don't see that too many places. That was a great way to send off our seniors."
Men's Finals
Team Top 5 (of 24): 1. Oklahoma Baptist 176, 2. Bethel (Ind.) 108, 3. Shorter 88, 4. Greenville 59, 5 (tie) Dallas Baptist 57, 5 (tie) McMurry 57
4x100 Relay: 1. T.J. Carmichael, Kenneth Combs, Devontrae Young, Blake Bartlett, 40.05 (Meet Record)
4x400 Relay: 1. JyWayne Allen, Kenneth Combs, Blake Bartlett, Clay Shepperson, 3:09.84 (Meet Record)
100M: 1. Blake Bartlett, 10.22 (meet record); 3. T.J. Carmichael 10.66
200M. 1. Blake Bartlett, 20.48 (meet record); 2. Devontrae Young, 21.28; 4. T.J. Carmichael, 21.41
400M: 1. JyWayne Allen, 47.58; 4. Matthew Giudice, 48.59
800M: 1. Clay Shepperson, 1:53.20; 10. Sam Smith, 1:56.59; 18. Tommy Uglean, 1:59.75; 20 Jordan Masterson, 2:02.58.
400 Hurdles: 1. Kenneth Combs, 53.56; 7. Christopher Walker, 56.24
Long Jump: 1. Jordan Patterson, 24-4.5 (Meet Record)
Pole Vault: 1. Ryan Womack, 16-00.75; 3. Spencer Lashley, 15-7; 4. Blaine Kilinic, 14-7.25; 9. Eddie Martinez, 12-7.5
4x800 Relay: 2. Jordan Masterson, Thomas Uglean, Sam Smith, Ayoub Akil, 7:38.96
110 High Hurdles: 2. Kenneth Combs, 14.12; 7. Christopher Walker, 15.82
Triple Jump: 2. Jordan Patterson, 47-00.75High Jump: 3. Christian Johnson, 6-6
Discus: 4. Brynden Pitzer, 150-8; 10. Jacob Cochran, 134-1
3000M Steeplechase: 4. Blaine Whitson, 9:38.55
Decathlon: 5. Andrew Worley, 4,995; 6. Kolten Speaks, 4411
1500 M: 9. Nathan Crowson, 4:01.45; 21. Nathan Reed, 4:11.55
Shot Put: 17. Jacob Cochran, 37-6.5
