BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Adams State was crowned NCAA Division II National Champions on Saturday with a close five-point win ahead of Grand Valley State (Mich.). The Grizzlies tallied 45.00 points while GVSU tallied 40.00. The finish saw the Grizzlies move up five spots after their sixth place standing after Day 1 on Friday.
It marks the second NCAA Division II Indoor T&F National Championship for the ASU men with the first coming in 2010. Overall, it is the fourth indoor national title (1990 & 1992).
The Day 2 surge began with Oliver Aitchison taking the crown in the mile with a time of 4:09.39. Teammate Matt Daniels was close behind for a second-place finish with a time of 4:09.69.Kevin Batt, who was recently named the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Association's (USTFCCA) South-Central Region athlete of the year, helped the Grizzlies out with a first-place finish in the 3000 meters with a time of 8:01.42.
After being ranked seventh in the nation in the shotput, Zach Baxter placed fifth at the national meet with his best throw of 17.24m. That distance was 0.32 meters further than his throw at the RMAC Championships.
The strong efforts on Saturday carried over from the program's record-breaking performance in Friday's distance medley relay. With a time of 9:41.79, the group of Derek Brown II, Batt, Austin Anaya and Aitchison set a new NCAA DII meet record en route to placing first.
