Junior Brayden Burleigh became just the second Raider in school history to claim a NCAA men's indoor national championship on Saturday, winning the mile in 4:10.40 at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Burleigh was one of three Raiders to earn All-America status on Saturday, resulting in a tie for ninth place for the Shippensburg University men's indoor track & field team at the 2014 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships.

Using an incredible surge over the last 800 meters, Burleigh took off at the three-minute mark of the race – moving out of the middle of the pack to build a significant lead entering the final two laps.

The only challenger was rival Mike Robinson of Mansfield – the PSAC indoor champion and mile record holder – who began his expected strong kick with about 400 meters to go and was especially gaining over the final 200 meters.

Despite Robinson's late charge, Burleigh closed strong and used one last burst down the homestretch – raising his hand as he crossed the finish line in celebration of his first national title.

The only other Shippensburg University men's student-athlete to win a NCAA indoor championship in an individual competition is Burleigh's distance coach – Steve Spence – who won the 5K title at the inaugural NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championship back in 1985.

Burleigh's title marks the fourth SU men's indoor national championship overall, as Raider distance medley relay squads took gold in both 2011 and 2013.

Earlier in the day, junior Grant Smith became Shippensburg's first-ever NCAA All-American in the shot put in either indoor or outdoor competition. Smith landed three throws beyond 58 feet, with his second of the competition resulting in his top mark of 58 feet, 8 inches and a fourth-place overall finish.

Smith wraps up his inaugural indoor season at Shippensburg having set the PSAC all-time indoor record (59' 5"), winning a PSAC indoor championship and now claiming All-America honors in his first NCAA Championships competition.

Competing at the same time as Smith were redshirt-sophomore LeQuan Chapman and junior Matthew Terry in the triple jump.

Chapman earned All-America honors with his second jump, landing a mark of 49 feet, 5 inches (15.06 meters) – a new personal and collegiate best. His only other mark came on his fourth attempt, when he jumped 48 feet, 0 ½ inches.

He becomes the second straight SU indoor All-American in the triple jump, as Steve Waithe finished seventh last season (49-8.25) with the Raiders. It is Chapman's second NCAA indoor All-America honor after placing eighth in the long jump last season with West Chester.

Terry, making his NCAA Championships debut, also reached the finals of the triple jump but finished just one spot shy of All-America honors, placing ninth overall. He posted marks on all six of his jumps, with his best (47-10) coming on his third attempt.

The final SU men's competitor of the day was sophomore Jalen Ramsey, who cleared 6 feet, 8 ¾ inches on his second attempt but was unable to get over the bar at 6 feet, 10 inches – resulting in a tie for ninth place with three other competitors.

Ramsey, who made his second NCAA Championships appearance (first indoors; he competed outdoors last year), finishes his second indoor campaign having twice cleared seven feet and breaking the 30-year-old school record in the event with a top mark of 7 feet, 0 ½ inches.

Overall, SU's tie for ninth place (18 points) marks its third Top-15 result in the last four years and matches its highest-ever finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships (the 2011 team placed ninth with 21 points). 

Final Results

200
15. Matt Kujawski 22.08

400
12. Eric Bologa 49.07

Mile
1. Brayden Burleigh 4:10.40 [4:10.99p]

High Jump
9. Jalen Ramsey 6' 8 ¾"

Long Jump
13. LeQuan Chapman 23'

Triple Jump
6. LeQuan Chapman 49' 5"
9. Matthew Terry 47' 10"

Shot Put
4. Grant Smith 58' 8"

Weight Throw
10. Chris Nelson 60' 9 ½"