Track & Field: Second All-American Honor for Nocton

BROOKINGS, S.D. - For the second time in less than a year, IU East's Cameron Nocton is an All-American in track and field.

Setting a school record in the 3,000-meter Race Walk with a time of 13:22.89, Nocton finished sixth at the NAIA Indoor National Championships on Friday, March 1.

"It was a tough race," Nocton said. "A battle for every inch that I could get."

Nocton entered the event having won at the 2024 River States Conference Indoor Championships with a then record time of 13:35.21 on Saturday, Feb. 17.

"A tight finish and I couldn't close, but overall, an amazing day," Nocton said. "A PR and highest finish I have had nationally."

Dillan Melchiore of the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) posted a time of 12:56.89 to win the event inside the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.

"He had a great day," IU East assistant coach Cam Tiberg said. "Form was the most consistent it has ever been for a championship level competition. He just keeps improving every time he goes out. It was a great conclusion to indoor with him earning an All-American nod."

During the outdoor season last May, Nocton was seventh in the 5,000-Meter Racewalk with an IU East record 24:11.11 at Indiana Wesleyan University. The top eight finishers are considered All-Americans.

Now a two-time All-American, Nocton joins Seth Reynolds as the only track and field athletes to earn the honor more than once. Reynolds was six-time All-American with his top finish of fifth coming in the 60-meter hurdles indoors in 2020.

Reynolds along with Justin Lowe, Will Mundy and Joe Brown made up the 1,600-meter relay squad that was fifth at the NAIA Indoor Nationals in 2020.