Wirges, Bauer Meet Qualifying Standards at the Dick Young Classic
Grinnell, IA -- Faith Track & Field had a great showing on Saturday, with several personal and season bests, two national qualifiers, and another event win to cap off the day.
The women's team took the spotlight on Saturday with some big performances in Grinnell.
Codie Wirges kicked off the day with a nationals qualifying and season best leap in triple jump, her highest mark coming at 9.85m. Cade Cooper and Austin Jordan jumped well on the men's side, finishing in second and fourth place respectively in long jump.
On the track, Gabriella Widman ran the 200 and 400, setting personal bests in each race. Sierra Pearson ran a season 17.55 in the 100m hurdles, and is now two tenths of a second away from qualifying for Nationals.
Annika Bauer became the fifth Eagle to qualify for Nationals, finishing her first attempt at 400m hurdles in 1:14.34. Bauer and Wirges join the trio of Cooper, Jordan, and Blevins, who have all qualified to compete at the NCCAA National championship meet taking place May 6-8 in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Finishing out the day, Carlie Blevins ran a season-best 4:57.58 in the 1500m run, followed by an event win in the 5000m run, finishing nearly one minute faster than the second place finisher. Sadie Van Der Molen and Katie Costello put up season bests in discus and shot put, as they inch closer to the qualifying marks in their events.
Full team results can be found >here<
Up Next: The Eagles travel to Cedar Rapids on Saturday, April 18th to compete at the DeBacker Invitational hosted by Mount Mercy. Event information will be posted as it becomes available.
2026 Nationals Qualifiers
Cade Cooper: Long Jump (3/28, Central Invitational)
Austin Jordan: Long Jump (3/28, Central Invitational)
Carlie Blevins: 5000m run (3/28, Central Invitational), 1500m run (4/4, Cornell Invitational)
Codie Wirges: Triple Jump (4/11, Dick Young Invitational)
Annika Bauer: 400m Hurdles (4/11, Dick Young Invitational)
2026 Event Wins
Men's Long Jump: Cade Cooper (4/4, Cornell Invitational)
Women's Triple Jump: Codie Wirges (4/4, Cornell Invitational)
Women's 5000m Run: Carlie Blevins (4/11, Dick Young Invitational)
