Gray, Men’s Track & Field Finish 3rd at NCCAA National Championships
Published: April 13, 2021
JOLIET, Ill. NCCAA National MVP Bruce Gray helped GC mens Track and Field capture bronze at the annual NCCAA National Championships at Joliet, Illinois Memorial Stadium on Thursday, May 3 Saturday, May 5.
Freshman standout Gray captured a record three gold medals and one silver in the weekends national showcase, supplying 38 of the squads 104 team points. Greenville College mens track and field edged NAIA DI Olivet Nazarene by 1.50 points to secure the third spot behind Cedarville (111) and champion Indiana Wesleyan (138.50).
In all honesty this squad performed to the best of their abilities, remarked head coach Brian Patton. With the injuries, team issues, and other snags that we have had as a squad this group of men competed and finished at a level that few have. I am very proud of our effort.
In all the mens squad notched 11 top-five finishes with four individual champions in the 22-event, 18-team meet.
Gray headlined all performers for the weekend as the Chicago, Ill. native blazed to a first place finish in the 100m (10.69), the 200m (21.52), and the mens 4x100m relay (). For his efforts Gray was named the meets MVP and newcomer of the year award.
Joining Gray on the short track was senior leader Brian White and sophomore mainstay Josh Garcia. White finished second in the 100m (10.93) and placed in the 200m dash as well. Garcia continued to improve on his seasons best, setting a PR of 10.91 in the 100m prelims and following with a 10.95 to take third in the finals. When all was said and done GC had completed the 1-2-3 sweep of the 100m dash and the Black & Orange owned the awards stand.
The 200m dash featured the same three competitors as Gray, White, and Garcia each stamped their claim in finals. Gray crossed the timeline in exceptional first-place fashion (21.52) and was followed by Garcia in sixth (22.26) and White in ninth (22.50). The three werent done yet, joining senior Anthony Ambers to compile one of the fastest 4x100 teams in GC history and in the nation in 2012. The group cruised to a first-place, 41.28 time in prelim action that preceded a gold medal effort of 41.84 in finals.
In the middle-distance exhibition junior Josh Dees claimed fourth with a powerful time of 1:55.36 in a highly competitive field. With meet placing on the line the 4x400m squad of Ikeem Mattison, Gray, Dezman Woods, and Bobby Williams delivered a show-stopping 3:21.39 performance to edge Indiana Wesleyan (3:21.49) and snag the all-important eight points for second.
Field competition saw freshman thrower Bryan Waugh launch a 43.41m toss in the mens discus throw to end fifth in the event. Sophomore Hammer specialist Josh Kuusisto took home bronze with his heave of 53.25m, only 1m off of the sophomores lifetime best. Senior Alex Wilson and junior Jace Sloan kept the point train rolling in mens field, supplying 14 points in the mens javelin throw. Sloan released a lifetime best 58.79m rod that claimed the spreads top spot, while throwing mate Wilson earned fifth with his mark of 52.04m.
Mens track and field will continue competition next weekend at the University of Louisville Invitational last chance meet in Louisville, KY with their sights set on NCAA DIII Nationals that are a mere three weeks away.
