Baptiste completes stay at NAIA Outdoor Nationals. (May 22, 2024)
(Results)
MARION, Ind. (May 25, 2024) – Florida National University’s track and field team saw its second-ever national qualifier post a noteworthy performance at the 2024 NAIA Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Marion, Ind.
FNU’s first female qualifier, Joelle Baptiste landed an appearance at nationals with a third place finish in the 400M hurdles (1:04.48) at The Sun Conference Championships in late April. The freshman hit a National B standard in Miami Gardens, Fla., to punch her ticket to the hoosier state.
Baptiste faced 19 mph winds at Indiana Wesleyan University during the prelims of the women’s 400M hurdles on May 22 at 4:30 p.m. Despite a brilliant season, Baptiste placed 22nd out of 26 competitors, crossing the finish line last in her heat. The Trinidad and Tobago native did not find a rhythm after the first hurdle and was a bit too high clearing each barrier through the end of her race.
Baptiste joins David Bellefleur as the only FNU student-athletes to qualify for NAIA Nationals. Bellefleur participated in 2023’s championship in the men’s 800M race, landing in 17th place with a time of 1:54.82 in the prelims.
The University of British Columbia took home the Red Banner with a stellar 137-point team performance.
