VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- The Mississippi College Track and Field team once again made history, this time at the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships held in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The men's team finished 10th overall, marking the highest-ever finish for the Cross Country or Track and Field program at a national meet.

The team's incredible performance included four 1st-Team All-American finishes, setting a new record for the most NCAA Division II 1st-Team finishes. Additionally, the team secured eight 1st-Team and 2nd-Team All-American finishes, another record for the program.

Individual standout performances included Jan Lukas Becker and Niklas Klei, who both finished third in the nation in their respective events - the Men's 5K and 400m. The Men's 4x400m relay team of Fabio Palmieri, Niklas Klei, Gabe Hodson, and Connor Stewart also made history with their fourth-place finish, setting a new record for the program's highest-ever relay finish at a national meet.

Other notable achievements include Hunter Kurz, Connor Stewart, Christian Balcer, and Cole Benoit's 6th-place finish in the Men's DMR, with each member earning their first-ever NCAA 1st-team finish at a national championship. Jan Lukas Becker's exceptional performance throughout the meet earned him multiple All-American honors, including a 2nd-Team finish in the Men's 3K alongside teammate Cole Benoit.

Kelechi Christian also made her mark at the championships, securing her first-ever NCAA Division II 2nd-Team All-American honors in the Women's 200-meter dash. Lastly, Hunter Kurz earned his second 2nd-Team All-American honors in the Men's 1-mile, adding to the team's impressive tally of achievements.

Head Coach Matthew Reneker expressed his pride, stating, "We are very pleased with the hardware and accolades we were able to secure at this national championship. What is the most impressive, however, is the overwhelming love and support we've had from teammates, coaches, familes, and adminitrators from the Mississippi College family. There are so many stories behind every point scored over this past weekend but the overarching theme is love for one another, and for that, I am extremely proud."

Mississippi College Track and Field's historic success at the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships has cemented their place as one of the top programs in the country. Congratulations to the team on their outstanding achievements!