By Jeff Kontz, sports editor

Friends University looks to take a strong team to the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships this season after having several qualifiers on both the men’s and women’s teams. With two more meets to qualify, the Falcons hope to add to their already impressive list.

Women’s Head Coach Matt Kennedy credits the teams’ success largely to their strength of schedule this season.

“This year’s schedule is second to none. We compete against great competition every week, which allows us to hit great times,” Kennedy said.

He added that Athletic Director Joe Zimmerman “has been great about expanding our schedule for both indoor and outdoor.”

Sophomore Jordan Arnold is qualified in three events and her times rank her in the top 10 in the nation in both the 5,000 and 3,000 meter races. Men’s head coach and distance coach Brad Peterson believes that Arnold’s times will continue to drop every time she competes.

“Now (Arnold) is one of the best runners in the nation. This is all due to her hard work and dedication in all that she does.”

The women also have qualified several other runners in the distance medley relay. Taylor Doll, junior; Lanae Kidd, freshman; Sara Wiebe, senior; and Megan Shepherd, sophomore, have been coming on strong and have been constantly trying to improve their relay’s time after qualifying in early January for nationals.

“There have been many bright spots so far in our season,” Doll said. “We’ve made a lot of improvements since last year and still have a ways to go, but we are at a great place right now. We’re always striving to get better.”

Sara Wiebe will also compete at nationals in the high jump after recently clearing a new personal best of 5’7” at this last weekend’s meet. Wiebe is now ranked second in the NAIA and believes she can improve on that.

“Without a doubt, she is one of the most talented high jumpers in the country. When she puts everything together, she’s scary good,” Kennedy said.

On the men’s side, Peterson is proud of the team’s ability to compete and like Kennedy he credits the schedule with much of their success.

Matt Ditzler, sophomore, and Dan Neidlinger, sophomore, both have qualified to compete at the national meet in Johnson City, Tenn. Ditzler sits at sixth in the nation in the 5,000 meter with his teammate not far behind at 15th.

Like the women’s team, the men have qualified the distance medley relay. The relay consists of Allen Shockley, sophomore; Aaron Gurley, junior; Cole Hancock, senior; and Tim Patterson, junior.

“Patterson is without a doubt the most improved on the men’s team,” Peterson said. “His time has improved by two minutes in the 5k since last year, and his mile is 20 seconds faster. He’s become one of the best in the KCAC.”

Other member of the men’s team who have a good chance of qualifying in the two meets remaining are Doug Pierce, senior, and Frank Miles, junior. Peterson said Pierce has been extremely close in all his events this season, and Saturday at Concordia will be Miles’ first indoor meet of the season.

The Falcons look strong and while not overlooking the indoor season, they know that it is a sign of things to come in outdoor.

“Outdoor is what we’re gearing up for. Anything in indoor is in addition to outdoor season because that is our main focus,” said Kennedy.

Most track athletes feel the same and are excited to see how they compete in the conference during the outdoor season.

“Both indoor and outdoor are important. Indoor track is a great way to keep in shape, and it’s a good way to stay competitive by racing every weekend like we do in cross country and outdoor track,” Doll said.

The NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships will be March 4 at East Tennessee State University.