RESULTS | NCAA D2 indoor home page
 
Virginia Beach, Va.----When Wingate University freshman distance specialist Hamza Chahid joined the Bulldog family in January, little did director of track and field, cross country and triathlon Matt van Lierop and his staff know the impact the always-smiling Moroccan would have on the emerging national contender.

On Saturday, Chahid won the men's 3000 meters in the NCAA Division II indoor national championship meet at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. His triumphant personal-best and school-record time of 8:00.35 gives the Bulldog newbie two NCAA national championships in two days. Wingate won the men's Distance Medley Relay (DMR) title Friday.

What They Are Saying
Wingate freshman student-athlete Hamza Chahid

"I can't describe how happy I am after the 3000 meters victory at nationals. It's a good feeling! This win is for everyone who was supporting me and for all of Wingate University. In the race, I wasn't only thinking about winning for myself, but for my teammates and my coaches who were wishing me the best. I really fight for this to make everyone happy."
 
Wingate director of track and field, cross country and triathlon Matt van Lierop
 
"I am so proud of our student-athletes and coaches. The hard work all season showed this week. This is a tremendous way to end our indoor seasons."
 
"A big thank you for all the support from Bulldog Nation. There is more to come…this is only the beginning. We couldn't do this without them. As I tell our team every day: 'every second counts, because eventually seconds turn in to firsts.'"
 
Wingate assistant track and field coach and head cross country coach Pol Domenech

"Words are hard to describe how we are all feeling after this weekend. The plan was to invest everything into the DMR. We kept everyone away from their individual events in order to have everyone fresh before the relay. We created a plan that would give us the highest chance to win the DMR race and every single one of the four legs executed to perfection."
 
"We never left the top-three of the race and we handed off the baton to our anchor leg in perfect position. Hamza just had to finish the job, and he did. I cannot find a more fitting way to accomplish our first relay national championship than with this total team event. Our culture is built on team and winning the national championship together was the perfect culmination of an amazing indoor season."

"With day one in the books, Hamza still had the individual 3000 meters on day two. Just like the DMR, we drew up a plan for him to be successful, but I think today no plan was really necessary, as he was just superior to his competition. Hamza crossed the line by himself, but had the entire team in his back. He is only capable of winning this championship because of the support he has received from the rest of the squad since the first day he stepped on campus."
 
"I'm proud of the culture we've built at Wingate, and despite the individual accomplishments, this is truly a team effort. We have an amazing leader in Coach Matt. Everything starts with him and trickles down to the assistant coaches and student-athletes. I am very proud of the athletic accomplishments from this weekend, but I am even prouder to share it with our incredible staff and student-athletes. The job is not finished as we start outdoor next weekend, with more motivation and inspiration than ever."
 
Saturday notes

- Miguel Coca (Adams State) finished second in the men's 3000 meters (8:01.81)
- Tyler Nord (Western Colorado) finished third (8:02.00)
- Freshman Tyler Morris (men's triple jump) finished 15th in his event (14.11 meters)
- The top three finishers in the men's triple jump posted personal-best marks Saturday
- The 2023 outdoor season starts next Friday and Saturday (Charlotte 49er Classic)
 
Wingate University
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education; and the School of Sport Sciences. 
 
Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 14 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
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