VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.—University of Indianapolis junior Alex Meyer claimed his second national title in the men's long jump while the Hounds earned All-America honors in two other events at the Virginia Beach Sports Center on Friday, March 13.
Meyer had the furthest mark after the second flight of the men's long jump had concluded, leading the field with a leap of 7.69, which he reached on his first attempt. For the first 25 jumps of the event's finals, it appeared as though Meyer would run away with the victory, as no competitor had a mark within 30 cm of Meyer's leading attempt. With just two jumpers to go in Meyer and the second-place jumper out of Lenior-Rhyne, Tobechukwu Nwokocha, just five centimeters separated first and second place. Nwokocha did not waste his final attempt jumping into first with a leap of 7.71m. With all eyes on Meyer for his final attempt, the junior rose to the occasion, jumping a nine-centimeter pr, and besting his indoor program record by 26 cm with a leap of 7.79m. Meyer earns his second national title in the long jump after claiming the title at the 2025 DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Pueblo, Co.Â
The men's distance medley relay team of Josue Le Cadre, Riley Buroff, Yanis Le Mouillour, and Felix Rivet were just .004 of a second away from a national title of their own, taking second place with a time of 9:39.95. Entering the competition ranked seventh in the field, Le Cadre was able to put the Hounds in the second-place position after his 1200m leg. Riley Buroff held the position with a 46.96 400m leg. Getting the baton in the second-place position Le Mouillour posted a 1:50.10 800m leg to take his squad into the first-place position. Felix Rivet, Pittsburg State's Dylan Sprecker, and Grand Valley's Flynn Pumpa stayed in a tight pack for the majority of their 1500m leg. Approaching the last straightaway, Rivet and Sprecker slightly pulled ahead of Pumpa approaching the finish line. Rivet put it all on the line for the Hounds in a diving finish in an attempt for the gold, but fell just short of the victory .004 of a second behind the Pittsburg State squad.
Francesca Maurino started the championships off on a high note for the Hounds. The Italian was the last jumper to make the national cut, entering the competition at 18th place. Maurino had no trouble on her three heights, clearing 1.63m, 1.68m, and her previous personal record of 1.73 all on her first attempt. The junior then moved up to 1.76 m, which would be a new personal best and a new program record. After failing on her first two attempts, Maurino was one of six to clear the height, earning her All-America status on her first time on the national stage.Â
Le Cadre, who entered with the top rank in the 800 nationally, clocked the fastest preliminary time at 1:48.79, earning him an automatic trip to tomorrow's finals. Le Mouillour just missed out on finals, clocking a 1:49.57, the ninth-fastest preliminary time.Â
