Foresters Ready to Compete at NAIA Outdoor Nationals, Bailey Honored as Great Lakes Region Assistant Coach of the Year
The Huntington University track and field program is set to make a strong showing at the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, taking place May 21–23 at Indiana Wesleyan's Wildcat Track & Field Complex in Marion, Indiana.
The Forester women will compete in five running events and two field events, while the HU men are entered in six individual running events along with two relays.
Leading the charge is the men's 4x100 relay team, which enters the national meet as the No. 2 seed. The quartet of Sam Handerson, Zach Collins, Nathan Farinha, and Jonathan Farinha posted a time of 39.73 earlier this month, a new school record and the fourth-fastest mark in NAIA history, positioning them as Huntington's top contender for a national title.
WOMEN'S SUMMARY:
Abbey Gentz – 10,000 meters (21st seed | 36:56.54)
Trysta Hilton – 400 meter hurdles (12th seed | 1:02.35)
Olivia Howell – 800 meters (27th seed | 2:13.74)
Josey Reineman – High Jump (22nd seed | 1.66m)
Emily Tedder – 1500 meters (11th | 4:35.55); 5000 meters (19th | 17:23.39)
Erica Xayarath – Long Jump (19th | 5.76m)
MEN'S SUMMARY:
Jan Busam – 400 meters (11th seed | 47.06)
Zach Collins – 200 meters (21st | 21.03)
Jonathan Farinha – 100 meters (5th | 10.23); 200 meters (9th | 20.76)
Reece Gibson – 3000 meter steeplechase (18th | 9:21.25)
Celestin Trambloy – 400 meter hurdles (3rd | 51.53)
Jayden Williams – 800 meters (22nd | 1:51.88)
4x100m – Jan Busam, Zach Collins, Jonathan Farinha, Nathan Farinha, Sam Handerson, Isaac Lee, Celestin Trambloy, Jayden Williams (2nd | 39.73)
4x400m – Jan Busam, Zach Collins, Jonathan Farinha, Nathan Farinha, Wyatt Harrington, Hawkins Marihugh, Celestin Trambloy, Jayden Williams(10th | 3:12.87)
Below is the schedule of events for the Foresters. For a complete schedule, click here.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
3:30 p.m. - M 4x100 relay
3:50 p.m. - W 1500 - Emily Tedder
4:30 p.m. - W 400m hurdles - Trysta Hilton
4:55 p.m. - M 400m hurdles - Celestin Trambloy
5:35 p.m. - M 200 - Jonathan Farinha, Zach Collins
6:00 p.m. - W Long Jump - Erica Xayarath
7:55 p.m. - M Steeplechase - Reece Gibson
8:20 p.m. - W 10,000 - Abbey Gentz
THURSDAY, MAY 22
2:30 p.m. - W 800 - Olivia Howell
2:50 p.m. - M 800 - Jayden Williams
3:40 p.m. - M 100 - Jonathan Farinha
4:20 p.m. - M 400 - Jan Busam
6:45 p.m. - W 5000 - Emily Tedder
8:45 p.m. - M 4x400 relay
FRIDAY, MAY 23
1:20 p.m. - M Steeplechase FINALS
1:50 p.m. - M 4x100 relay FINALS
2:00 p.m. - W High Jump - Josey Reineman
2:00 p.m. - W 1500 FINALS
3:00 p.m. - M 100 FINALS
3:10 p.m. - W 400 hurdles FINALS
3:20 p.m. - M 400 hurdles FINALS
3:40 p.m. - M 400 FINALS
3:50 p.m. - W 800 FINALS
4:00 p.m. - M 800 FINALS
4:20 p.m. - M 200 FINALS
4:30 p.m. - W 5000 FINALS
5:25 p.m. - M 4x400 relay FINALS
Additionally, sprints coach Coby Bailey has been named the Great Lakes Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
In just his third year on staff, Bailey has transformed the Foresters' sprint and hurdle program into a national contender. His athletes accounted for 64 points at the Crossroads League Outdoor Championships this spring, and they set six program records during the season.
Under his leadership, multiple Foresters qualified for the NAIA national championships in seven events, including the 4×100 relay team, which posted the fourth-fastest time in NAIA history at 39.73.
"Coby is very deserving of this award," said HU head coach Austin Roark. "In just three years, he's built the Huntington men's sprints program into one of the best in the NAIA. I'm excited to see Coby continue his great work and be rewarded by winning this award."
The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 160 NAIA All-America honors and 567 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.
