XULA 4X400 relay team, Bell stamp tickets into Championship finals

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Freshman sensation Karri Noel made it 2-for-2 in three ways Thursday at the NAIA Outdoor Championships.

Noel, representing Xavier in the 400, went 2–for-2 in qualifying in terms of qualifying for national finals in his signature race. Already an All-American in the indoor 400, Noel ran a 46.84 in his preliminary heat.

That time, the 12th-best in the NAIA and 18th best among HBCU athletes this season, sent Noel into Friday's final as the No. 6 qualifier. The 400 final is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Central.

But the 2-for-2 dynamic did not end there. Noel made XULA 2-for-2 in men's sprinters qualifying for the finals in their events. His teammate, Jaheene Bell, had achieved the feat a day earlier in the 400-meter hurdles.

Last but certainly not least, Noel was a part of Xavier Men's Track and Field going 2-for-2 in Thursday's preliminary action.

The quartet of Bell, Noel, D'Kirian Allen, and Tremanie Hamilton combined to cruise in the 4X400 relay. The Gold Rush won their heat by just under 2 seconds with a 3:09.42, a run that ranks as the third-best in the NAIA and ninth-best among HBCUs this season.

XULA's time was tied with Indiana Tech for best in the meet, sending the Gold Rush into the final among the favorites to medal and with a wonderful chance at a national title.

The 4X400 relay team will be a part of the final race of the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Championships. Xavier is slated to run at 4:20 p.m. Central.

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Players Mentioned

Karri Noel: 5' 8"; Freshman

Jaheene Bell: 5' 10"; Junior; 2L

D'Kirian Allen: Freshman

Tremanie Hamilton: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Karri Noel
: 5' 8"; Freshman

Jaheene Bell
: 5' 10"; Junior; 2L

D'Kirian Allen
: Freshman

Tremanie Hamilton
: Freshman