Luca Madeo, University of the Cumberlands

Carson Krack, Carroll College

The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recently announced its 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Year, with Carroll College sophomore Carson Krack [https://carrollathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/carson-krack/5582] earning the honor. Carson, who hails from Whitefish, Montana, won the decathlon at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Championships with a score of 7522 points in leading a 1-2 finish in the event for the Saints (Tucker Monaco [https://carrollathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/tucker-monaco/5585], his teammate, was second with 7167 points). That score was just four points off his seasonal best of 7526 at the Bryan Clay Multi's in Azusa, Calif., earlier this season, the highest score in the NAIA since 2001. Carson was the Frontier Conference MVP and Field Athlete of the Meet.  While he is now the second athlete from Carroll to win the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Decathlon in the last five years (as Lee Walburn did in 2021 and 2022), he is the first Carroll student-athlete to earn the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Year award. Carson runs a 10.97 100, a mid-48 second 400, a 4:23 1500, 14.29 110-meter hurdles, 52.86 400 hurdles, 40.5 foot shot put,  126-foot discus, 172 feet in javelin, high jumps 6-7, pole vaults about 14 feet, long jumps 23 feet, and would have placed in the top 8 outright in multiple events had he done them individually at the NAIA championships.  As a high school senior, he competed in seven separate events at the state meet, winning two of them.  Clearly an incredibly versatile athlete and only halfway through his collegiate career, we’re sure to see more yet to come.  As Carson likes to quote, "There are two things in this world: excuses and results, and you can’t have both." Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602988/fan_mail/new] Follow RBRR on Instagram @redbannerracereport

Luca Madeo, University of the Cumberlands

Welcome back to the Red Banner Race Report, the podcast highlighting the amazing athletes and achievements in NAIA Cross Country and Track & Field. In this episode, we are sitting down with a man who has redefined the pace of the Mid-South Conference and the national stage. When you talk about dominance in the 5000 and 10,000 meters, one name has become a permanent fixture at the top of the leaderboard. Coming to the University of the Cumberlands by way of Germany, he hasn’t just participated in the NAIA—he’s rewritten its record books, with back to back titles in both the 5 and 10K. Who are we talking about? That would be Cumberland Patriot Luca Madeo. With a wide range across events both on the track and the road, and a unique blend of tactical racing and raw engine power, Madeo also owns the U23 German National Record in the half marathon along with a national championship for his native country in that  event. He was a major factor in the Patriot’s NAIA outdoor track and field team championship in Asheville, NC. We’re diving deep into the training and mindset of a champion, the transition from European racing to the American collegiate system, and what it takes to chase that elusive 'Red Banner.' Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602988/fan_mail/new] Follow RBRR on Instagram @redbannerracereport

Nico Altheimer, St. Thomas University

Welcome back to the Red Banner Race Report Podcast, where we feature the amazing athletes and performances in NAIA cross country and track and field. We are joined by the NAIA Outdoor National Championships' Most Valuable Performer, Nico Altheimer.  The St. Thomas University Men's Track and Field Program recorded its best finish in program history in third place, led by Altheimer, a freshman, who earned MVP honors after claiming Individual National titles in the 100 and 200-meter races before contributing to a third-place effort in the 4x100 relay and again in the 4x400 finals, to place fifth. Altheimer was the Sun Conference outdoor champion in the 100, 200, and 4x100, and was All-American at the indoor championships, finishing sixth in the 200.  As a high school senior, he competed for Curtis High School in Washington State, earning a state championship in the 100, 200, 4x100 relay, and even placing in the top ten in the 300-meter hurdles.  He made the podium at elite meets like Nike Nationals and the USATF National Junior Olympics, and clearly, the transition from high school athletics to collegiate competition has been successful.  Join us as we chat with this dynamic first-year student athlete who has made an immediate impact in the NAIA in 2026. Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602988/fan_mail/new] Follow RBRR on Instagram @redbannerracereport

Katie Vogt, Doane University

Welcome back to the Red Banner Race Report podcast, featuring the cross country and track and field stars of the NAIA.  I’m your host, Meran, and today’s guest is Katie Vogt of Doane University.  Katie has established herself as one of the top sprinters in the NAIA, and her recent season highlights include some pretty amazing achievements.   * School Record Holder: On April 8, 2026, she set a new Doane school record in the 400 meters with a time of 53.32 seconds, which still currently ranks as the fastest time in the NAIA. * National Honors: She was named the NAIA Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week in April 2026 after a dominant week in which she secured multiple wins and met national qualifying standards. * Versatility: Beyond the 400m, she competes at a high level in the 200m and is a key member of the 4x400m relay team, contributing to several conference and national podium finishes, including the national indoor championship 4x400 m relay in March. We’ll chat with Katie about her career improvement, her goals for what remains to be done in her senior season, and get to know her as an athlete on and off the track.  "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 Thank you so much for tuning into The Red Banner Race Report.  I can’t wait to feature more cross country and track and field athletes from the NAIA…stay tuned because it might just be YOU!   If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please share, subscribe, and leave a review.  You can find The Red Banner Race Report Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other major media players.  You can also ask Alexa to play the podcast.  If you have an idea for a great topic or guest you’d like to hear about, feel free to contact me through the show notes or reach out on Instagram. The Red Banner Race Report is an independent production and not officially endorsed or sponsored by the NAIA organization.  Any opinions or views expressed are those of the host and participants and do not reflect the NAIA in its entirety. Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602988/fan_mail/new] Follow RBRR on Instagram @redbannerracereport

DeAndre Jones, Voorhees University

Welcome back to the Red Banner Race Report, the podcast where we go beyond the results to meet the humans chasing NAIA achievements in cross country and track and field. In this episode, we’re talking about someone who is reaching new heights - literally. When you think of Voorhees University track and field in 2026, one name is currently hovering above the rest of the competition.   DeAndre Jones is a freshman sensation out of South Carolina, who recently cleared a massive 2.14 meters (7'0.25"), to claim the #1 high jump ranking in the NAIA, and also punched his ticket to the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships…and believe it or not, he just began jumping as a senior in high school.  With such an amazing start to his collegiate career, Mr. Jones is just getting started. Thank you so much for tuning into The Red Banner Race Report.  I can’t wait to feature more cross country and track and field athletes from the NAIA…stay tuned because it might just be YOU!   If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please share, subscribe, and leave a review.  You can find The Red Banner Race Report Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other major media players.  You can also ask Alexa to play the podcast.  If you have an idea for a great topic or guest you’d like to hear about, feel free to contact me through the show notes or reach out on Instagram. The Red Banner Race Report is an independent production and not officially endorsed or sponsored by the NAIA organization.  Any opinions or views expressed are those of the host and participants and do not reflect the NAIA in its entirety. Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602988/fan_mail/new] Follow RBRR on Instagram @redbannerracereport