Raiders Enter GPAC Championships with Three Conference-Leading Marks

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The 2026 GPAC Men's Track and Field Championships are set to take place on Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21 at the Dordt Recreation Center in Sioux Center, Iowa. This annual event will bring together teams and individual athletes from across the Great Plains Athletic Conference to compete in a variety of track and field events.

Among the standout athletes to watch are Braden Kalvelage and Carson Van Sickle, both leading in the conference rankings. Kalvelage holds the top spot in the 200m with a time of 21.32 seconds and in the long jump with a leap of 7.62 meters. Van Sickle leads the 800m with a time of 1:52.10. Both athletes have achieved NAIA standards, with Kalvelage meeting the auto mark in the long jump and the provisional standard in the 200m, while Van Sickle meets the provisional in the 800m.

The event will also feature competitive relay teams. The 4x400m relay team, comprising Kalvelage, Slaba, Ashley, and Palmer, is currently ranked second in the conference with a time of 3:16.86, meeting the NAIA provisional mark. The 4x800m relay team, including Van Sickle, Dirks, Van Der Werff, and Van Sickle, stands fourth with a time of 7:45.40.

For those unable to attend in person, the championships will be broadcast live on the GPAC Network, providing an opportunity for fans to follow the action from anywhere. Live results will be available through Black Squirrel Timing. Tickets for the event are available at $11 for adults and $4 for students.

CONFERENCE TOP-10 MARKS
Braden Kalvelage – 1^st; 200m (21.32)
Carson Van Sickle – 1^st; 800m (1:52.10)
Braden Kalvelage – 1^st; Long Jump (7.62m)
4x400m Relay (Kalvelage, Slaba, Ashley, Palmer) – 2^nd; 3:16.86
4x800m Relay (Van Sickle, Dirks, Van Der Werff, Van Sickle) – 4^th; 7:45.40
Grant Palmer – 4^th; 200m (21.84)
Braden Kalvelage – 5^th; 60m (6.91)
Carson Van Sickle – 5^th; 1000m (2:29.68)
Caleb Tofteland – 5^th; 3000m (8:37.79)
DMR (Rundquist, Heinz, Van Sickle, Tofteland) – 5^th (10:17.40)
Grant Palmer – 6^th; 400m (49.16)
Caleb Tofteland – 6^th; 5000m (15:08.78)
Grant Palmer – 8^th; 60m (6.95)
Josiah McFarland – 8^th; 60m Hurdles (8.47)
Mike Rodriguez – 8^th; Long Jump (6.83m)
Quinlan Rundquist – Mile (4:20.24)
Mike Rodriguez – 9^th; 200m (22.08)
Connor Slaba – 10^th; 60m (6.98)
Mike Rodriguez – 10^th; 400m (49.40)

NAIA STANDARDS
"A" Standard
Braden Kalvelage – Long Jump (7.62m)

"B" Standard
Braden Kalvelage – 200m (21.32)
Carson Van Sickle – 800m (1:52.10)
4x400m Relay (Kalvelage, Slaba, Ashley, Palmer) – 3:16.86
4x800m Relay (Van Sickle, Dirks, Van Der Werff, Van Sickle) – 7:45.40

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Players Mentioned

Braden Kalvelage: 6' 0"; Senior

Grant Palmer: Sprints; 6' 2"; Senior

Mike Rodriguez: 6' 2"; Junior

Carson Van Sickle: 6' 3"; Sophomore

Josiah McFarland: 6' 0"; Freshman

Quinlan Rundquist: 5' 10"; Freshman

Connor Slaba: 5' 8"; Freshman

Caleb Tofteland: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Braden Kalvelage
: 6' 0"; Senior

Grant Palmer
: 6' 2"; Senior
: Sprints

Mike Rodriguez
: 6' 2"; Junior

Carson Van Sickle
: 6' 3"; Sophomore

Josiah McFarland
: 6' 0"; Freshman

Quinlan Rundquist
: 5' 10"; Freshman

Connor Slaba
: 5' 8"; Freshman

Caleb Tofteland
: Freshman