Eight NCAA Division II automatic qualifying marks were set over the weekend by men at the NCAA Division II level. Four came in one race - the 5000 meters run at the Grand Valley State Holiday Open. James Ngandu of Tiffin won that race.
Fresh off an NCAA Division II Cross Country individual championship, Ngandu got his indoor season started on the right foot by posting a time of 13:57.54 at the GVSU Holiday Open, ahead of three Laker runners. His time is tops in the nation at the NCAA Division II level, and was only bested by Tulane's Emmanuel Rotich in the whole country this past weekend.
The greatest long distance runner to ever step foot upon the campus of Tiffin University won his 3rd straight GLIAC cross-country title this year, 2nd consecutive Midwest Region title, was named GLIAC cross-country Male Athlete of the Year, Midwest Region Athlete of the Year, and National Runner of the Year. James is by far the most decorated cross-country athlete in Tiffin history, being a two-time GLIAC Athlete of the Year, two-time NCAA All-American, and last season was a GLIAC All-Academic Excellence selection. He's had great success as a member of the Dragons' indoor track and field team as well, being an important member of Tiffin's two-time NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field team. James was a two-time NCAA All-American last year, taking 2nd in the 5000 meters and 3rd in the 3000 meters.