After Indoor MIAC Titles, Track and Field Program Readies for First-Ever Outdoor Meets on Campus
It’s an exciting time for Bethel’s track and field program. The men’s and women’s teams just won indoor MIAC titles—the men for the first time, and the women for the second straight year. And the team is beginning its first season on its new outdoor track and field facilities, which will include the first two home outdoor meets on Bethel’s campus.
By Jason Schoonover ’09, content specialist
April 14, 2023 | 9 a.m.
Bethel’s new nine-lane track has garnered rave reviews for its great cushion and shock absorption, which makes it a great place to train and compete. But many also love its vibrant blue color. “I am so thankful to have this new facility, and think that it was very well constructed. It looks beautiful! The bright blue track itself is what stands out to me the most, which is a very unique color,” says sprinter Jacob Parent ’24.
It’s a historic season for the track and field program at Bethel University. The men’s and women’s teams both won MIAC titles during the indoor season—the women’s team for the second straight season, and the men for the first time ever.
Now, the program is primed to host its first two outdoor meets ever on campus: the Bethel Invitationalx on April 15 and the MIAC Outdoor Championships on May 12-13.
We asked Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Andrew Rock and his athletes for their reactions to this historic time for the program. Here are their reactions, along with a bit of context on the program:
Indoor Champions
In February, Bethel won the men’s and women’s MIAC Championship in style. Both titles came down to the final events, the 4x400 relay. The women controlled their fate—win and take the title. For the men, they had to win the race and needed St. John’s to finish seventh or lower to take the title. Both teams won. For Rock, it was especially meaningful to see his men’s and women’s teams win the MIAC at the same time. “It was just so fun for them to share that experience together,” Rock says. For the women’s team, repeating a title is extremely hard, and Rock was proud of the accomplishment. For the men, their win attained a goal they had to join the women’s team as champs. Though proud and excited for the women’s 2022 title, Rock could tell it served as motivation—they saw the women’s team win and wanted a title too.
Success in track and field doesn’t happen overnight, and Rock notes it took a lot of time and commitment from this year’s teams and past teams. “There are a lot of alums and other people that have helped lay the foundations of the expectations in the program,” he says.
Landen Liu ’26 was named Indoor MIAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and MIAC Men’s Rookie of the Year. He won individual MIAC titles in the 60m dash and 200m dash, he was named an all-American in both, and he broke the school records in both events.
During the indoor season, hurdler Jayson Ekiyor ’25 was one of 10 individual conference champions, he was one of 12 all-Americans at the Indoor National Meet, he broke the school record in the 60m hurdles, and he was national runner-up in the 60m hurdles.
From the Team:
"I was the anchor leg on the 4x400 relay that sealed the men’s first-ever team title win. My three relay teammates set me up in a great position to close the relay out strong, and I have a very clear memory of the moment I crossed the finish line, looking to my left, and seeing a giant swarm of Bethel track members jumping up and down and screaming. I specifically remember hurdler Josh Lee '26 pointing over at me the second I crossed the finish line, and at that moment, I knew we had accomplished something very special."
—Jacob Parent '24
Biokinetics
Sprint runner
"It was amazing to be able to win the MIAC as a whole team. We really promote unity throughout our whole program: We train together, cheer for each other, have prayer groups together, so it seemed very fitting for us to win together too. We’ve seen everyone training hard every day, and to be able to win the conference together was really special!"
—Ellie Hernes '26
Nursing with minors in psychology, community health, and communication studies
Jumps and hurdles
"It was amazing that the men’s and women’s teams were both able to take that top spot. Last year the women won, and the men got fourth. We were very happy for them, but our men’s team definitely wanted more. It was really rewarding to be able to get up there and share the victory together."
—Samuel Gardeen '24
Business: finance and analytics
Pole vault
12
All-Americans at the 2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships
10
individual 2023 conference champions
9
school records broken during the 2023 indoor track and field season
Bethel’s track and field athletes are excited for their first spring on the new track and field facilities. But Mother Nature had other ideas this year. A historic Minnesota winter kept the teams indoors longer than planned until an April heat wave cleared the way for outdoor practices. Hints of the Twin Cities’ 89.7 inches of snow—the third-highest on record—remain around campus.
The New Track
Last summer, Bethel completed work on the first outdoor track and field facilities on campus, including a blue nine-lane track and new jump, vault, and throws areas for track and field. The work came as part of the athletics portion of the Called to More campaign, Bethel’s largest-ever capital campaign, which exceeded its $150 million goal. The team held several practices on the new outdoor facilities last fall, but a historic Minnesota winter kept them indoors longer than planned this spring. To date, 89.7 inches of snow fell in the Twin Cities during the 2022-23 season—the third-highest on record. “We’re getting some antsy athletes,” Rock admitted as they waited for a spring melt. By early April, the full teams were finally able to get outside for practice.
The response to the track has been overwhelmingly positive. With great cushion and shock absorption, Rock says the track will be great for training and will help prevent overuse injuries common to track and field athletes. He also expects it to be a fast track. “We’re really grateful because we put in a great track,” Rock says. “The surface is incredible. It’s really responsive.”
From the Team:
"Even if we weren’t practicing in the early fall, I went up there every day because I was just tickled. Like, I can’t believe this is here, you know. It’s just fun to be out there. It’s such a beautiful track too and a beautiful facility, the way it connects with the football and the colors, with the stadium."
—Andrew Rock
Director of Track and Field/Cross Country
"I am really excited about the new track and field areas! The throws area was in need of updating before this, so I am really grateful for this opportunity to have this resource available."
—Emma Roethler '23
Nursing with minors in psychology and biology
Throws
"I am so thankful and grateful to all the people that made this facility a reality. It is wonderful, and the anticipation to race on it has been so hard to manage. One of the guys on the distance team unconsciously started saying last fall whenever we ran on the track that 'This track is nice.' The track is so much more than just nice, but it has become this thing that he says whenever we are on it now, which is just a reminder of how wonderful the facility is and how thankful I—and the rest of the team—is that we have the opportunity to compete and practice on it."
—Reese Thompson '24
Business: marketing and Spanish
Distance runner
Along with the new track, Bethel added new jump, vault, and throws areas for field athletes. Samuel Gardeen ’24 is excited to be able to practice vaulting outside on campus. In past years, vaulters largely practiced inside Bethel’s Sports and Recreation Center (SRC) and then competed outside. Similarly, Emma Roethler ’23 is grateful for the updated throws area. In the indoor season, the women’s team sent four throwers to the conference meet for the first time in one event and all four reached the finals.
No Place Like Home
After the success of the indoor season, Rock and his teams are excited for the outdoor season, though Rock notes it’s a clean slate. “We’ve got two great teams, and I think we’ll have a very successful year,” he says. “And we’re just going to do everything we can to have the best performance we can. That’s what we’re going to strive to do, is just keep working hard and keep centered on Christ.”When practices for the outdoor season resumed after spring break, Rock saw a lot of smiles from his team. While he hears a lot of talk about goals for the season, many athletes are ecstatic for the home meets. They’ll allow family, friends, and roommates to watch them compete—many for the first time. “We’re really ecstatic about that, and a little snow later in the year isn’t going to dampen any of that for us,” he says. On May 13 during the MIAC Outdoor Championships, Bethel will host a dedication celebrating the new track alumni, family, and donors. “The ultimate goal is to show our gratitude and thankfulness to the people that support us and our program,” Rock says.
From the Team:
"I think being able to run and compete at home is super special, so I’m very excited that we can host this year! I’m excited to be able to host fans and have a home crowd!"
—Ellie Hernes '26
Nursing with minors in psychology, community health, and communication studies
Jumps and hurdles
"I am most excited to be able to see more of my friends from school in attendance at our track meets. We are only in college for a limited amount of time, so I will never take these moments with my friends, teammates, and coaches for granted. I can’t wait to make some unforgettable memories this upcoming season with my favorite people. I am also very excited to have the opportunity to set some facility records at our home facility that hopefully will stand for a long time."
—Jacob Parent '24
Biokinetics
Sprint runner
"I am so excited for Bethel to host an outdoor home meet. It will be a really wonderful and emotional time having the outdoor MIAC meet at Bethel this year. The throws area has now been in place for about a year and it will be really fun to use our own space to compete and show what we can do."
—Emma Roethler '23
Nursing with minors in psychology and biology
Throws
"I’m very excited about the two home meets coming this outdoor season, especially conference. You always have a bit more confidence competing at the same place you practice. Everything feels a little bit more familiar. On top of that, there is a lot more support from the crowd."
—Samuel Gardeen '24
Business: finance and analytics
Pole vault
"It is going to be so fun to have the involvement of the rest of campus with track and field! The competition will be so much more accessible for people to come watch or volunteer."
—Reese Thompson '24
Business: marketing and Spanish
Distance runner
"We’re excited. The opportunity to host the first-ever outdoor meet on campus and to be a part of that is a huge honor. Honestly, we’re over the moon about it. It’s going to be a great meet. Then a month after that we get to host the conference meet, which is absolutely incredible."
—Andrew Rock
Director of Track and Field/Cross Country
The Bethel men’s and women’s track and field teams stretch at practice just days before the first-ever outdoor track and field meet on campus, the Bethel Invitational on April 15. Bethel will also host the MIAC Outdoor Championships on May 12 and 13.
A Christ-Centered Team
Despite the program’s growth and success, Rock remains committed to building a vibrant team culture centered on Christ. “We can’t always control the outcome, but to us, it’s about the journey that we get to do together to be our best,” he says. “The end result is what it is, but we’re going to go on that journey, whether we win the conference or we don’t.” Win or lose, Rock hopes his athletes will build strong relationships that last long after college. Rock, a decorated Division III athlete and 2004 Olympic gold medalist, says the relationships he build running track mean more to him today than his success. “That’s the single most important thing I remember,” he says. “That really is at the forefront of my mind like it was yesterday, and that’s what I want for them.”
And Rock notes that at Bethel, our athletes don't just pursue success in their events, they compete for a higher purpose. “My focus has and continues to be a Christ-centered team, and a team that loves and values each other and wants to use our gifts to honor God, because He’s the one that gave it to us,” he says. “It’s just never going to waver from that. That’s what I believe. And whether we win or lose, we’re going to do the best we can."
From the Team:
"The program has been growing in its success and its environment is so encouraging in Coach Rock’s care. Coach Rock has an impressive track resume himself, so it is an honor to get to be a part of his team."
—Emma Roethler '23
Nursing with minors in psychology and biology
Throws
"There are so many deep, meaningful friendships among the members of our team. Coach Rock has established the standard of placing God first and does an incredible job of incorporating the Lord into each and every practice, meet, and team event. Track is a very individual sport, but on the Bethel team, it does not feel that way."
—Jacob Parent '24
Biokinetics
Sprint runner
"I’ve felt nothing but love and support from my teammates and my coaches. Everyone genuinely cares about each other, and encourages each other throughout every practice and meet. Coach Rock has built a program that emphasizes faith, relationship, and hard work, which I think is the reason our team has had success."
—Ellie Hernes '26
Nursing with minors in psychology, community health, and communication studies
Jumps and hurdles
"There is a very wide range of personalities on our team, which I love. Despite this, the team is still very tight-knit."
—Samuel Gardeen '24
Business: finance and analytics
Pole vault
"Coach Rock and the rest of the staff are so intentional about acknowledging every person and their contributions to the team. Nobody is left to stay on the fringes. The level of care is so uniquely balanced with the competitiveness and drive that coach also expects from us to where I think that it models how Christians ought to engage with athletics."
—Reese Thompson '24
Business: marketing and Spanish
Distance runner
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