Raiders Take Top Marks to Fremont for GPAC Championships

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The 2026 GPAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championships are set to take place on May 1-2, hosted by Midland University at Heedum Field in Fremont, Nebraska. This event will feature talented athletes and teams from across the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), competing in a range of track and field events.

Among the standout athletes, Braden Kalvelage is expected to be a key contender. Kalvelage has already achieved the NAIA automatic qualifying mark in the long jump with a distance of 7.56 meters, leading the GPAC in this event. Additionally, he holds the top spot in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.01 seconds and is ranked second in the 100-meter dash at 10.52 seconds.

Carson Van Sickle is another athlete to watch, having reached the provisional standard in the 800 meters with a time of 1:51.39, placing him first in the GPAC for this event. The Championships will also highlight other top-performing athletes and relay teams, including the first-place 4x100-meter relay team comprising Slaba, Hayenga-Johnson, Heinz, and Van Donge.

Spectators interested in attending the Championships can purchase tickets at the event. Prices are set at $11 for adults and $4 for students, providing an affordable opportunity to witness high-level collegiate track and field competition. For those unable to attend in person, the events will be streamed live on the GPAC Network, ensuring fans can catch all the action from anywhere.

CONFERENCE TOP-10 MARKS
Braden Kalvelage – 1^st; Long Jump (7.56m)
Braden Kalvelage – 1^st; 200m (21.01)
Carson Van Sickle – 1^st; 800m (1:51.39)
4x100m Relay (Slaba, Hayenga-Johnson, Heinz, Van Donge) – 1^st; 41.79
Braden Kalvelage – 2^nd; 100m (10.52)
Mike Rodriguez – 3^rd; 200m (21.66)
4x400m Relay (Heinz, Price, Ashley, Bliven) – 3^rd; 3:18.09
Collin Bliven – 5^th; 400mH (56.00)
Alik McIlravy – 5^th; 3000m Steeplechase (9:54.96)
Caleb Tofteland – 6^th; 5000m (15:13.60)
4x800m Relay (Dirks, Rundquist, Tofteland, Van Sickle – 6^th; 7:53.86
Aziah Ashley – 7^th; 400m (49.27)
Josiah McFarland – 7^th; 110mH (15.25)
Kalarga Mukhtar – 7^th; 400mH (56.28)
Jo Norton – 7^th; Long Jump (6.84m)
Jordan Carter – 7^th; Triple Jump (13.12m)
Carter Van Donge – 8^th; 100m (10.74)
Kalarga Mukhtar – 8^th; 110mH (15.26)
Connor Slaba – 10^th; 100m (10.80)
Carter Van Donge – 10^th; 200m (21.93)
Lane Johnson – 10^th; Pole Vault (4.20m)

NAIA STANDARDS
"A" Standard
Braden Kalvelage – Long Jump (7.56m)
"B" Standard
Braden Kalvelage – 200m (21.01)
Carson Van Sickle – 800m (1:51.39)

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Players Mentioned

Aziah Ashley: 6' 0"; Senior

Jordan Carter: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Lane Johnson: 5' 11"; Junior

Braden Kalvelage: 6' 0"; Senior

Alik McIlravy: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Jo Norton: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Mike Rodriguez: 6' 2"; Junior

Carter Van Donge: 6' 0"; Freshman

Carson Van Sickle: 6' 3"; Sophomore

Collin Bliven: 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Aziah Ashley
: 6' 0"; Senior

Jordan Carter
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Lane Johnson
: 5' 11"; Junior

Braden Kalvelage
: 6' 0"; Senior

Alik McIlravy
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Jo Norton
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Mike Rodriguez
: 6' 2"; Junior

Carter Van Donge
: 6' 0"; Freshman

Carson Van Sickle
: 6' 3"; Sophomore

Collin Bliven
: 6' 3"; Freshman