Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas men's track and field team traveled to Grand Valley State University for the annual Mike Lints Alumni Open, using the meet as a crucial tune-up before next weekend's WHAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. The Saints delivered an impressive showing, highlighted by a first-place finish, a national championship qualifier, and two new additions to the program's all-time top-five lists.

The standout event for Aquinas was the 400 meters, where Nathan Iacona stole the spotlight with a 47.90-second victory, securing both the event title and an automatic qualifying time for the NAIA National Championships. Jake Van Tassell also impressed, finishing fifth in 48.89, which moved him up to #2 on the Saints' All-Time List. Other strong performances in the 400m included Marcus Mitchell (49.97) and Juan Garcia Valdes (51.80 – a new personal best).

In the 200 meters, Keiton Fase made his mark with a time of 21.93, propelling him to #3 on the Saints' All-Time List. He now trails only Aquinas College Hall of Famers Jason Carver and Rumeal McKinney in program history. The distance events also saw success, with Ethan Barker running a personal-best 4:17.26 in the mile, earning him seventh place out of 81 competitors.

In the field events, Blake Whetstone set a new indoor personal best in the high jump (6-2 ¾), while Jacob Merryfield secured third place in the triple jump (42-6 ¼).

The Saints will return to action next weekend as they travel to Fort Wayne for the WHAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, with competition set to begin on Friday at 4 p.m.