ALLENDALE, Mich.—UIndy student-athlete Ben Nagel etched his name in the UIndy record books Saturday, earning All-America status at the NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The senior mid-distance standout placed third in the 800-meter final, good for his second consecutive All-America nod in the event. He was also the recipient of the event's Elite 90 award, presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 90 championships.
 
After placing fourth in the 800 at the 2021 outdoor nationals, Nagel notched a third-place finish this year with a time of 1:50.29. The performance was good for UIndy's highest-ever men's 800 finish at outdoor nationals, with only three other Greyhound men's runners (any distance) ever placing higher*.
 

?? | Congrats to Ben Nagel, now a 2?x All-American in the outdoor 800!! ????

His time of 1?:5?1?.2?9? was good for ?? among the D2's fastest 800 runners! ??????@UIndyXCTF | #D2MOTF pic.twitter.com/jSfBRGCZgp

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) May 28, 2022

 
Regarding the Elite 90 honor, Nagel sports a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA as an Actuarial Science major at UIndy. The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. Nagel is the sixth Greyhound and UIndy's first-ever two-time winner of the Elite 90 Award, as he was also the recipient of the award at hte 2021 NCAA DII Indoor Championships.

Meanwhile, junior Brittney Clark joined Nagel as a national qualifier this year. The veteran pole vaulter shared 11th place in her event, clearing a height of 3.95 meters. The performance adds to an already impressive year for the Valparaiso, Ind., product, who earned All-America accolades in the indoor season as well as GLVC titles at both the league's indoor and outdoor meets.
 

?? | Also congrats to Brittney Clark, who cleared 3?.9?5? meters to place 1?1?th among the nation's best pole vaulters! ??????@UIndyXCTF | #D2WOTF pic.twitter.com/zbW5hWdbmh

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) May 28, 2022

 

* Chris Green, 1st place, 400 hurdles, 1986; Reggie Cross, 2nd place, 400 meters, 2001; Jermel Kindred, 2nd place, 400 hurdles, 2014.