Rader rips off NAIA National 'B' Standard, wins long jump; Austin, Rauch grab runner-up finishes in shot put, pole vault

CEDARVILLE, Ohio -- It's been a successful start to Luke Rader's field career at Shawnee State, to say the least.

After posting a 21-foot, 10-and-a-half-inch long jump and an 8.80 60 meter hurdles time at the Marshall Alumni Classic to begin the 2025 slate of the indoor schedule, Rader turned it up further at the Lions Invitational in Cincinnati two weekends ago, winning the 60 meter hurdles with an 8.70 and going 43 feet, three-and-three-quarters inches in the triple jump to win both events while also clearing 21 feet, 10-and-a-quarter inches to place second in the long jump.

Rader notches standard in long jump

Rader's performance in Friday's Cedarville Collegiate Invitational, however, will be one that Rader remembers for a lifetime.

Having already enjoyed a successful indoor season to date, Rader sealed his first-ever berth to the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships as the Minford High School alum made a significant jump -- literally and figuratively -- by posting a 23-foot, two-and-three-quarters inch long jump to not only win the Cedarville Collegiate Invitational, but obtain his first career NAIA National 'B' Standard mark in the process at Friday's event.

Rader not only won the event, but did so with relative ease as the sophomore was one of only two individuals to jump over 21 feet in the event. His winning mark is now tied for 16th nationally as well.

However, Rader wasn't done.

In the triple jump, Rader grinded his way to a 43-foot, nine-and-a-quarter-inch mark in that event -- and posted an 8.56 also in the 60 meter hurdles. As a result, Rader beat his own personal bests -- and school records -- in each of the three events that he participated in Friday evening, all while scoring 22 of Shawnee State's 63 points on his own.

"Luke had a great evening," Shawnee State Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Conner Flynn said. "He continues to improve every meet, which is impressive at the level that he's been. He's stayed patient, so it's great to see him log that jump to earn the standard. (Jesse) Ruby (Shawnee State assistant coach) has done a great job with him."

Behind Rader, Alan Austin continued his own growth as a field athlete -- posting a runner-up finish in the shot put by throwing a 47-foot, nine-and-three-quarters inch mark and adding in a personal best throw of 42 feet, one-half inch in the weight throw to boot. Austin's second place mark in the shot added eight additional points to the cause.

Pole vault wise, Shawnee State's Matthew Rauch and Landon Roberts came up with big point-producing efforts themselves -- as the duo collected second and third place finishes with identical 12 feet, two-and-three-quarters inch jumps. Rauch edged Roberts for second by clearing the mark on his second jump, while Roberts cleared the same distance on his third attempt.

Competing in the high jump once again, Eli Adkins maintained his consistency in the event, clearing six feet, two inches to place third -- adding in six points of his own.

"Alan, Eli, Landon and Matthew did a great job in their respective events," Flynn said. "I enjoy seeing such a presence in the field events that appear to strengthen each meet."

Additional

Along with the above quartet, the 4-by-200 meter relay unit of Cody Hesler, Davin Heckard, Desean Garred and Garrett McKinness placed third (1:36.37), while Connor Ignacio finished fifth in the long jump with an 18-foot, one-and-a-half inch mark. Hesler's 52.49 in the 400 meter dash, which amounted to a sixth place run, rounded out Shawnee State's effort in the event.

Additional finishes are as follows:

60 meter dash: Garrett McKinness (10th, 7.12 -- personal best), Desean Garred (27th, 7.41), Braxton Noble (28th, 7.46), Cameron Cannon (33rd, 7.55)

200 meter dash: Cody Hesler (16th, 23.80), Garrett McKinness (24th, 24.19), Davin Heckard (26th, 24.37), Braxton Noble (29th, 25.08), Eli Adkins (32nd, 26.01), Cameron Cannon (36th, 26.40)

800 meter run: Matthew Rauch (24th, 2:10.70)

One mile run: Aidan Judd (30th, 4:54.30)

3,000 meter run: Walker Pannell (14th, 9:48.43 --- personal best), Jacob Naumovski (15th, 9:57.74 -- personal best), Malachi Shugert (18th, 10:12.12), Luke Butler (20th, 10:25.60)

Weight throw: Connor Ignacio (12th, 34 feet, eight-and-a-quarter inch)

Men's shot put: Matthew Rauch (18th, 32 feet, five-and-three-quarters inches)