Yellowjackets Conclude Season at Heart Championships

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Graceland University men's outdoor track and field team closed its 2026 season at the Heart Conference Championships, competing across track and field events with one scoring performance, according to official results .

Caden Israel recorded the Yellowjackets' top finish, placing eighth in the men's pole vault with a clearance of 3.90 meters (12 feet, 9.5 inches). Israel converted on attempts at 3.75 meters and 3.90 meters before three unsuccessful attempts at 4.05 meters, earning one team point in the final standings . The result marked Graceland's only scoring performance at the meet.

Graceland did not produce a top-three finisher in any individual or relay event during the two-day competition. Sprint performances included Tael Jean, who ran 10.84 seconds in the 100-meter preliminaries, finishing outside qualifying positions for the final. Brice Taylor added marks of 11.02 in the 100-meter prelims and 21.97 in the 200-meter preliminaries, while Kaeden Monday recorded 11.48 in the 100 meters .

In relay competition, the 4x100-meter relay team of Jean, Taylor, Elias Walker, and Monday posted a time of 42.90 seconds, placing 10th overall. The group competed in the seeded sections but did not advance into scoring position .

Distance competition included Xavier Rangel, who finished 21st in the 10,000 meters (37:31.65), competing in the championship section but outside scoring range .

Head coach Tom Shore commented on the team's performance.

"We had consistent participation across event groups, and Caden converted his attempts in the pole vault to secure a scoring position," Shore said. "The group competed through the full schedule, and we will carry that experience forward into the next cycle."

The Heart Conference Championships, hosted by Mount Mercy University, featured finals competition across sprint, distance, hurdle and field disciplines, with team scoring awarded to the top eight finishers in each event.

The Graceland men's outdoor track and field season has concluded following the conference meet.

For more information on Graceland outdoor track and field and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.