GAINESVILLE, Fla.— The Montreat College men's and women's track & field teams wrapped up competition on Saturday at day three of the 2026 NAIA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships. Competing in five events, the Cavaliers delivered a historic showing that included eight All-American honors and two national championship performances.
On the men's side, the Cavs concluded eighth out of 68 squads with 25 total points, marking the best finish in program history at the indoor national meet. Meanwhile, on the women's side, Montreat tied for 36th out of 68 scoring teams with eight points.
Up first on the schedule for the Cavaliers was Nathan Cremin in the men's 1000m. Cremin notched a historic performance, capturing the national championship and earning All-American honors after placing first in a field of eight competitors. He crossed the line in a meet-record time of 2:22.26, winning the race by more than three seconds and breaking the previous 20-year-old mark by nearly a full second. The Gardner-Webb University transfer now owns the top two 1000m times in NAIA men's indoor track & field history, coupled with a mark he originally established a few weeks ago. The victory marked the second indoor 1000m national championship in program history, as well as the third national title overall.
Ryan Stade continued the Cavaliers' historic day in the men's 3000m. The Marysville, Kan. native entered the race seeded eighth but registered a stunning effort, capturing the national championship and earning All-American honors thanks to ending first in a field of 20 runners. Stade shattered the program record by nearly 17 seconds and lowered his personal best by more than 20 seconds, crossing the line in 8:02.63. His mark now ranks as the fourth-fastest time in NAIA men's indoor track & field history. Stade's win also stands as the program's third individual indoor national championship and fourth track & field individual title overall.
Up next for Montreat was Heather Murphy in the women's 5000m. The Portarlington, Ireland native delivered an outstanding runner-up performance, finishing second in a field of 20 athletes to earn All-American honors. Murphy set a new school and personal record, lowering her previous mark by 8.85 seconds with a time of 16:24.40. Her showing makes her the third-fastest 5000m performer thanks to running the fifth-fastest time in NAIA women's indoor track & field history.
The men's distance medley relay (DMR) marked the final event of the day for the Cavaliers, featuring the foursome of Cremin, Jordan Pippin, Hugo Petat-Hemono and Stade. The group turned in a strong race, concluding fourth with a time of 10:01.38 to earn All-American honors. Cameron Rice was also recognized as an All-American for his contributions in the preliminary round on Thursday.
Brock Lauer represented Montreat on Saturday as well, doing so in the men's 5000m. The upperclassman crossed the finish line in 17th out of 20 athletes via his 15:09.16 time.
"What an incredible effort for our men and women," said Head Coach Jacob Simms. "Two national champions, a runner-up and a top-four finish, plus three school records across three days. Our students stood up when it mattered most. Our staff is grateful for the dedication and joy of this whole program."
For full results from the 2026 NAIA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships, click here.
With the indoor season officially over, the Montreat College men's and women's track & field teams now shift their focus to the outdoor season, which is set to begin on March 20–21 with the Montreat College Open in Black Mountain, N.C.
