Christmas came early this winter break for two Montreat Cavalier runners. Ben Hall and Olivia Mills qualified for the 2010 NAIA National Track & Field Championships in the half marathon event on December 12 and 13^th.

Ben Hall was the first to qualify on December 12^th at the Kiawah Island Half Marathon in South Carolina. His time of 1:15:19 was good enough for 3^rd place overall out of a field of 2688 runners. This will be Ben's third marathon at the track championships. 

"I think Ben's in terrific shape. It's great to get this qualification mark, so that he can focus on building up the mileage and workload for the championship race in May," said Coach Larios. "I also think this is the best shape he's been in after a school break, which is a testament to his desire to compete well at the championships."

Making her debut in the half marathon a day after Ben, Olivia Mills put together a strong performance over the 13.1 mile race for a qualifying time of 1:35:39, good enough for 47^th place out of nearly 600 women. Mills qualifying race came at the VA Blue and Gray Half Marathon in Fredericksburg, VA on December 13^th.

"I knew Olivia could do it, her progression had been textbook," added Larios. "I'd like to see her qualify in another event, perhaps the 10k, so we'll see how this spring works out for her."

Both runners will compete at this year's championship event on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University on May 20-23, 2010.