Akins Reaches Qualifying Mark at Viking Classic
Des Moines, IA -- Faith track & field finished the regular season close to home, putting on a show for the biggest crowd of Eagle fans they've had this year
Luke Akins set a huge PR on Friday, beating his previous best by over half a meter and punching his ticket to compete at the NCCAA National meet in the shot put event. Akins threw just well enough through his first three attempts to advance to the finals, but it wasn't until his final throw of the day that he reached an impressive 13.20m (43'-03.75"). 2026 has been a breakout year for the Junior from Ankeny, as he threw over 12 meters for the first time in his collegiate career in early April, and will now compete at Nationals for the first time in his career. Akins becomes the sixth and final Eagle to reach a qualifying mark in 2026.
Austin Jordan jumped a meet-best 6.91m in his first leap of the day, which would be enough to mark his first collegiate event win in the long jump. Cade Cooper followed closely behind finishing with his best jump coming at 6.82m. Cooper followed with a new record in triple jump, eclipsing 13 meters for the first time for a mark of 13.02 and a second place finish in the event.
Sadie Van Der Molen had a career day in discus, throwing a personal best 29.99m. Another career record came for Carlie Blevins in the 1500m run, as she raced to a photo finish at 4:55.97, despite finishing second by 0.03 seconds, Blevins' time marks a new program record in the event.
Full team results can be found >here<
Up Next: Faith Track & Field travels to compete at the NCCAA National Championship meet in Wilmore, KY on May 6-8. Stay tuned for a full preview to be posted at fbbceagles.com as soon as information becomes available.
2026 Nationals Qualifiers
Cade Cooper: Long Jump (3/28, Central Invitational), Triple Jump (4/17, Red Raider Open)
Austin Jordan: Long Jump (3/28, Central Invitational)
Carlie Blevins: 5000m run (3/28, Central Invitational), 1500m run (4/4, Cornell Invitational)
Codie Wirges: Triple Jump (4/11, Dick Young Invitational)
Annika Bauer: 400m Hurdles (4/11, Dick Young Invitational)
Luke Akins: Shot Put (4/24, GV Viking Classic)
2026 Event Wins
Men's Long Jump: Cade Cooper (4/4, Cornell Invitational)
Women's Triple Jump: Codie Wirges (4/4, Cornell Invitational)
Women's 5000m Run: Carlie Blevins (4/11, Dick Young Invitational)
Men's Triple Jump: Cade Cooper (4/17, Red Raider Open)
Men's Long Jump: Austin Jordan (4/24, GV Viking Classic)
