MARION, Ind.— The Montreat men's and women's track & field teams returned to Marion, Ind. on Thursday for day two of the 2025 U.S. Marines NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. With four more events on the docket, the Cavaliers captured an All-American nod and clinched spots in both of tomorrow's 5000m finals.
 
Wyatt Wilson began the day late Thursday afternoon with the men's 5000m race walk final. Competing against a strong field of 21 competitors, Wilson concluded the event in 15^th overall. The Shelby, N.C. native crossed the finish line in 26:06.23 to snag his top-15 placement.
 
Montreat's lone field event of the meet came with plenty of fireworks. Jessica Gakeri crushed her school record by 0.16m during her second triple jump attempt of the evening. Thanks to the sterling 12.32m effort, Gakeri wrapped up the women's triple jump in third place, easily good enough for NAIA All-American honors. Combined with yesterday's score, the six points from Gakeri's outing moved the Cavs into a tie for fifth on the women's team leaderboard.
 
"I was just able to take in everything my coaches have tried to instill in me," Gakeri shared. "I had no clue I was going to jump 12.32m today, but I knew I was capable of jumping like this. I'm just nothing but grateful and blessed. God is great."
 
After placing second in yesterday's 10k final, Heather Murphy was back on the track Thursday night for the women's 5000m semifinals. Notching the seventh-quickest time of her heat, as well as the seventh-fastest time among the 18-runner field, Murphy's 17:39.59 showing punched her ticket to Friday afternoon's final.
 
The men's 5000m semifinals didn't occur on Thursday due to a few scratches and late check-ins. As a result, both Ryan Stade and Ethan Stamey automatically advanced to tomorrow's final.
 
For a complete look at results from the 2025 U.S. Marines NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, click here.
 
Dylan Garcia, Murphy, Stade and Stamey all compete tomorrow afternoon during the third and final day of outdoor nationals. Garcia kicks things off with the women's 1500m final at 2 p.m., while the women's and men's 5000m finals are slated to run at 4:30 p.m. and 4:55 p.m., respectively.