RU Track and Field Finishes the Season at the NAIA Championship; Paolozzi Named All-American
May 25, 2025
Marian, Ind. - Reinhardt Track and Field wrapped up its 2025 outdoor season this past Thursday at the NAIA National Championships held at Indiana Tech University. Six members met the qualification standards needed to compete in this year's championships.
Leading the pack was multi-year NAIA qualifier and senior, Andrew Paolozzi. Paolozzi ends his career at Reinhardt University as one of the most decorated athletes to attend the University. Here is a list of the accomplishments of Paolozzi's career with Reinhardt Track and Field:
- 1x NAIA Outdoor All-American (Hammer 2025)
- 3x NAIA Indoor National Qualifier (Weight Throw 2023, 2024, 2025)
- 2x NAIA Outdoor National Qualifier (Shot Put 2023, Hammer 2025)
- 5x AAC Conference Champion (Weight Throw 2022, 2023, 2024; Hammer 2023, 2025)
He has also set several school records during his time as an Eagle:
- Indoor Shot Put - 14.69m
- Weight Throw - 17.59m
- Outdoor Shot Put - 15.61m
- Hammer Throw - 59.84m
Joining Paolozzi on the NAIA qualifying team were Ethan Rice, who competed in the Javelin Throw, and the 2024 4x100 team of JT Neal, Caleb Cottrell, Josh Miller, and Prince Derring.
Both Rice and the 4x100 team had excellent standings at the championships, competing against some of the best athletes in the NAIA. The 4x100 team came into the national championships ranked 25th and finished 19th in the Nation! The team qualified by winning the AAC title in the 4x100-meter event.
Rice came in ranked 23rd and finished 19th in the Nation! Rice qualified by hitting the standard mark at the Lee Last Chance Meet just a week before the NAIA Championships.
Besides Paolozzi, all the athletes have the chance to come back and compete again in 2026 to improve on the successes they reached during the 2025 season.