RESULTS

Calvin junior Zach Van Baren concluded his competition of the decathlon at the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday.

The junior out of Hudsonville, Michigan, bowed out after the 100 meter dash after suffering an injury that forced him to scratch his remaining nine events and bow out of the competition. A graduate of Covenant Christian High School, Van Baren clocked in with a time of 12.05 in the 100 meter dash on Thursday but was unable to continue.

Despite the injury, Van Baren is able to look at a standout junior campaign that saw him qualify for the NCAA III Indoor Track and Field Championships in the heptathlon and the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the decathlon.

He was also the MIAA indoor champion in the heptathlon in February and the MIAA runner-up in the decathlon in April. He was a First Team All-MIAA selection for indoor track and field and a Second Team All-MIAA choice for outdoor track and field. He also scored points individually at the MIAA Indoor Championships in the 60 meter hurdles and long jump and in the 110 high hurdles at the MIAA Outdoor Championships.

He also received USTFCCCA All-Region honors for both indoor and outdoor track and field.

"We are very proud of the season Zach put together," said Calvin head track and field coach Adam Haldorson. "I know he has some disappointment with his injury but he has much to be look back on and be proud of. The goal now is just to get his body back healthy again so that he can start preparing to make another run at nationals next year. He has continued to improve throughout his collegiate career and I have full confidence that he will do so again as a senior."

Van Baren was the first Calvin athlete competing in the decathlon at the NCAA III Championships since J.D. Stien accomplished the feat from 1995-1997.