Warriors Send Three to Nationals
By Zach Throne
Charlene Garcia stands atop the high jump podium while Camara Green stands tied for seconds in Brookings, South Dakota. (Photos by NSAA) 
Isaiah Craig stand on third place spot on the podium for the long jump in Brookings, South Dakota. (Photos by NSAA)
The Waldorf Track team had a tremendous showing Saturday at the NSAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at South Dakota State.
They qualified three competitors for the national meet on March 1 and 2: Cam Newsome, Kaila Jackson and Isaiah Craig.
Both the women’s and men’s teams competed at an unprecedented level for Waldorf University track as they combined to break 12 school records on Friday and Saturday.
Cam Newsome won the high jump to become the lone conference champion for the men’s team.
He cleared a high of 6 feet, 8.25 inches, which broke his own school record from the previous week. That jump also qualified him the national track meet, something he strived for all indoor season.
“My goal coming into the year was make 6’6″ and try to make nationals,” said Newsome, “and I was able to make 6’8″ and actually made it to nationals.”
Along with Newsome in the high jump success was teammate Isaiah Craig.
Craig cleared 6’6.25″ (which would have broken the school record if not for Newsome) so he also will compete in the national meet in early March. Aside from the high jump, he broke the school record in the 60-meter dash with a 7.02 second run, the 200-meter dash with a 22.96 second run and the long jump with a 22-1.
“To put in all the work that I have and come away with this kind of success is special to me,” said Craig, “I can’t wait to compete at nationals. It’s gonna be a fun atmosphere with some of the best athletes in the country.”
Kaila Jackson joined the qualifying party by running a school record time of 7.80 seconds in the 60-meter dash, which broke her own record.
She is seeded 25th for the national meet and looks to break the 60-meter record yet again.
The other seven school records at the conference meet:
- Jackson with a 26.08 in the 200-meter dash
- Hayleigh Solano with a 10.06 in the 60-meter hurdles
- Charlene Garcia with a 4-11.75 in the high jump
- Justin Jacobi with a 8.52 in the 60-meter hurdles
- Women’s 4×400 relay with a 4:17.85
- Women’s 4×800 relay with a 11:56.32
- Men’s 4×400 relay with a 3:26.73
Newsome, Jackson and Craig will compete at the NAIA Indoor Championships in Brookings, South Dakota on March 1-2.