National Championship - Track and Field
National Championship (1998, 2003, 2005, 2006)
1998 Men's Indoor National Champions
The 1998 indoor track and field team won the first national championship in Lindenwood history. In a close meet, the Lions clinched the title when the 4x400 relay team came in second in the final event. Lindenwood finished with 62 points, six more than runner-up Azusa Pacific. Sharif Karie was named the meet's outstanding performer after winning the mile run and finishing second in the 800m. Gezachw Yossef also won an individual title by winning the 1,000m race. The 1998 national champion indoor track and field team was coached by John Creer and was inducted into the Lindenwood Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
2003 Men's Outdoor National Champions
The Lindenwood Lions men’s outdoor track and field team won its first NAIA national championship in 2003 in Olathe, Kansas. The Lions scored 65 points which was four more than runner-up Dickinson State. Head coach John Creer had two national champions on the squad. Fabian Florant was the national champion in the triple jump and the 4x100 meter relay team won the national championship. The relay team was compiled of Kevin Arthurton, Irvin Browne, Deno Campbell and Kurt Gibbons. The 2003 national championship men's outdoor team was inducted into the Lindenwood Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.
2005 Men's Indoor National Champions
The 2005 indoor track and field team won the program's second national championship when it scored 100.25 points, which was well ahead of Virginia Intermont’s point total of 82. Kendrick Triggs was named the meet's outstanding performer after winning the national championship in the 55m run, 200m dash, and was a member of the 1600m relay. Other national champions were Juan Walker in the 55m high hurdles and Haddow Weatherbone won the 400m dash. To go along with the athletes receiving awards, head coach Lane Lohr was named the 2005 NAIA Coach of the Year.
2006 Men's Indoor National Champions
In 2006 the Lindenwood Lions men’s indoor track and field won its second straight national championship. The Lions beat out Virginia Intermont for the second straight year, 94.5-81. The men clinched the title with strong performances in the triple jump and shot put. After the 4x400 relay, the last track event, Lindenwood was down to Virginia Intermont by 12.5 points. The triple jump and shot put were not yet completed, and Lindenwood was able to use these events to its advantage to take the title. Junior James Jenkins was able to successfully defend his indoor triple jump title from 2004. Freshman Carlos Mattis was in eighth place coming into the finals, but was able to improve to third place on his last jump. Senior Kelley Jackson was leading the shot put after the preliminary round, and was able to improve his lead in the finals to take the victory. Lindenwood's sprinters were strong as usual. Junior Mike Rodgers won the 60m dash with a meet record time of 6.72 and won the 200m with a time of 21.07. Senior Haddow Weatherborne was able to overcome cramps which caused him to collapse in the 400-meter run, and place second in the 200-meter dash. Freshman Rascive grant placed third in the 60-meter dash with a time of and fifth in the 200-meter dash. Freshman Aron Rono successfully completed a tough distance double, winning the mile in 4:11.37 and placing second in the 3000-meter run with a time of 8:24.33.
