To honor the National Runner-up finish by the Men's Indoor Track and Field team at the NCAA Division II National Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State March 9-10, a Celebration Week will be held from March 12-16 to honor their top accomplishments.
The Dragons were runner-up to Pittsburg State by one point at the championships, continuing a run of excellence over the last three years that has included two NCAA Indoor National Championships and 39 All American Indoor citations over that period.
Today's honoree is James Ngandu. Ngandu earned two First Team All American honors at nationals, finishing 2nd in the 5000 meters in 14:00.29 and 4th in the 3000 in 8:07.36. Entering nationals, Ngandu had posted the second-best and fourth-best times in the 5000 and 3000, respectively. His marks in both events were also the top times in the Midwest Region, while he also had the top regional time in the mile.
Ngandu is one of the greatest athletes in TU history. In cross country, Ngandu enjoyed another stellar season in 2017, culminating his cross country career by winning the NCAA Division II National Championship by 34 seconds over his nearest competitor in 30:18.8. Ngandu finished the season undefeated, winning his 3rd straight GLIAC title, 2nd consecutive Midwest Region title, was named GLIAC Male Athlete of the Year, Midwest Region Athlete of the Year, and National Runner of the Year. The greatest long distance runner to ever step foot upon the campus of Tiffin University, James also excelled in the classroom, majoring in Criminal Justice while posting multiple GLIAC All Academic citations. He was a 2017 Commissioner's Award recipient as well as being named USTFCCCA Scholar Athlete 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. In addition, Ngandu is a track standout, holding four school records and registering 8 All-American honors and 6 GLIAC championships over his indoor and outdoor career.
His track and field career is nearly as prolific. He is a 6-time First Team Indoor All American as well as a 4-time Outdoor All American. He is a three-time GLIAC champion in the 3000 and a GLIAC champ in the 5000 last year as well. He also finished 3rd at the GLIAC tourney with the DMR squad. He also has won three outdoor GLIAC championships.