North Central wins men’s indoor track national title

A fast start during Day 1 and two event champions on Saturday set the stage for the North Central College men’s track and field team’s third consecutive national title at the NCAA Division III indoor track and field hampionships in Grinnell, Iowa.

The Cardinals emerged with their third consecutive crown after racking up 48 points in the team standings by scoring points in four events. Wisconsin-Eau Claire was second with 37 points, followed by Wisconsin-Oshkosh with 32.

“It’s a great team process and even though we have individual events we have great individual groups like the vaulters, the jumpers, the throwers, the sprinters, the distance runners and we bring them together for a common goal, which is a team championship,” said North Central coach Fram Gramarosso.

Dan Benton sprinted to the victory in the 400-meter dash for the Cardinals’ second individual crown at the championships, surging past McMurry University’s Kevin Cunningham at the line. That win, plus a fifth-place showing by Dionte Hackle (Schaumburg) turned the tide in favor of the Cardinals, who reclaimed the lead after earning 14 points in the event. Hackler claimed All-American honors with his finish, clocking a 49.25 to place third in his heat and fifth overall. Benton and Hackler collaborated with Bai Kabba and Mustpha Olaoye to claim the national title in the 4x400-meter relay, establishing a facility record after finishing in 3:16.11, just one-hundredth of a second shy of the school record.

Robert Kapustka opened the day Saturday by placing 13th in the shot put, and Zach Heerspink tok 11th in the high jump.

The national title is the Cardinals 10th in track & field.