Sauder Wins Historic NAIA Mile Championship for Grace

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Kylie Sauder sprinted her way into Lancer history on Saturday night for Grace's track and field team.

Sauder won the mile national championship in breathtaking fashion, passing two runners in the final turn to highlight the final day of the 2025 NAIA Indoor National Championships.

She shattered her previous school record by nine seconds thanks to a fantastic kick. Sauder ran comfortably at the back of the lead pack for most of the race, maneuvering between fourth and fifth place.

As the race reached the final lap, Sauder had moved into third with eyes on the front. Sauder turned on the jets in the final turn, sprinting into second place. 

With six strides before the finish line, Sauder breezed past the leader and into history, breaking the tape in 4:46.82. Sauder is the first Lancer to win an NAIA indoor national championship for an individual event. 

She saved her best for last, running the final 200 meters in 30.53 seconds; her lap was nearly two seconds faster than any other lap completed in the race (by any runner).

Sauder will leave Florida with two NAIA All-American finishes, helping the women's 4x800 team reach All-American status on Friday.

 *photo credit: Mitch Huppert