SAN FRANCISCO – Sophomore TJ Wright did what no other Beacon has ever done on Friday night, qualifying for the NAIA national championships with an "A" standard in the 3000m Steeplechase at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival. He did so in the 3000m Steeplechase, in record-setting fashion.
 
Wright finished his run in 9:22.89, a full 18 seconds better than his own previous school record. He took 24th place but was the top finisher among 5 NAIA runners in the NCAA Divison I and Division II heavy field. Wright's time was also the third-fastest in the NAIA so far this season.
 
Also breaking his own school record in San Francisco was sophomore Garrett Kraal, taking down the 5k mark and improving his "B" standard time to 14:53.30. His is currently the 8th-fastest time in the NAIA for 2016.
 
One more CCC qualification was also achieved on Friday by senior Hunter Tyler. Tyler ran a 33.31.24 in the 10,000m, increasing the men's conference roster to ten.
 
Complete results:
 
800m: Taylor Kraal (2:02.84)
1500m: Taylor Kraal (4:05.19)
5000m: Garrett Kraal (14:53.30), Eli Shelby (15:47.33)
10000m: Chris Zirkle (32:00.89), Hunter Tyler (33:31.24)
3000m Steeplechase: TJ Wright (9:22.89)
 
The NCU track & field weekend continues on Saturday as the majority of the team will hit up Linfield's Jen Boyman Invitational in McMinnville.