GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Marian men's track and field team started the 2025 U.S. Marines NAIA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship at a breakneck pace, as the Knights earned three qualified each of their relays toward the finals, while Victor Dailey became the men's first NAIA All-American of the season.

Victor Dailey took the spotlight late in the day on Thursday, as the first year Knight got off to a quick start in the high jump. Dailey cleared his first three heights with ease, as he needed just one attempt to land successful marks at 1.98m, 2.03m, and 2.06m. Dailey struggled as the bar raised and he sealed his All-American bid, but kept locked in as he was able to clear 2.09m on the third attempt. Dailey's efforts secured fifth place, and as he was unable to pass the 2.12 bar, the Knight completed his NAIA Championship run with an NAIA All-American effort. 

Owen Myers was the first Knight on the track Thursday, competing in the race walk. Myers finished fifth in his heat of the event, clocking a school record and personal best time of 14:05.89. Myers is one of 12 student-athletes qualified for Friday's All-American race.

In the relay's, Marian's 4x800m group took the track first and rewrote the Marian record book, breaking the school record with a 7:35.25 time. The team of Rick Williams, Mason Piatt, Owen Pittman, and Andrew McDade finished first in their heat, and will enter the finals with the No. 2 overall time in the NAIA Championships. 

The 4x400m relay team was the second group to hit the track, as the team of Eric Materna, Richard Dube, Eli Givens, and Olivier Lifrange clocked their second fastest time of the season with a 3:11.80. The rapid time was good for second overall in the prelims, just 0.17 seconds behind Doane, who will enter the finals as the No. 1 team. 

Closing down Marian's action on the track was the distance medley relay, with the group of Charles Leedke, Raif Miller, Benjamin Riehle, and Tristan Trevino setting the tone with their race. Marian's relay squad shattered their previous school record set earlier this season by seven seconds, as they placed a time of 9:54.58 on the board. The Knights have the top time in the NAIA entering the finals, holding a two-second lead over the field. 

Also competing in the high jump on Thursday was Gunner Kovach, who cleared the bar at 1.98m before scratching at 2.03m. Kovach finished 15th in the NAIA Championships. 

As the meet shifts to day two, Marian will compete for All-American honors in two races, while additionally aiming to score points in two field events. The Race Walk finlas open the day at 11:15 a.m., while the 4x800m relay race will complete the action on the track. Marian competes in the weight throw, long jump, 60m, 600m, 800m, 1000m, and mile on Friday. 

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