Helmuth Highlights Opening Day of NAIA Nationals

Outdoor National Championships Central

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Trojans opened up action at the 2021 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships Wednesday evening. TU had five athletes compete in four events. Highlighting the night for the Purple and Gold was Alex Helmuth's All-American outing in the 10,000-meters.

Junior Alex Helmuth capped off an impressive outdoor track and field season with an exhilarating 10,000-meter race under the lights. In an extremely tight and competitive field, Helmuth battled with the leaders from the start before ending in sixth place overall. Helmuth logged a time of 30:50.91 and claimed All-American honors. Luke Rovenstine also competed in the 10k but did not finish.

Caleb Schutte clocked a time of 21.84 in the 200-meter prelims. The sophomore finished 20th overall.

In the field events, Mitch De Jong and Liam Hesting represented TU. De Jong finished 14th place in the javelin, launching the spear 51.48-meters. Hesting ended 17th in the hammer throw, logging a mark of 53.49-meters.

The Taylor men will have two individuals compete on Thursday, with Liam Hesting back in action for the discus throw at 6:00pm (ET) and Derek Van Prooyen in the 5,000-meter prelims at 9:35pm (ET).