Gainesville, Flor. -- Senior Ashlyn Vandlandingham took to the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Nationals stage for a third time on Friday. At the Appalachian Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Champions, she placed second in the 1,000 Meters, right behind Milligan's Ellen-Mary Kearney. She ran a time of 2:57.21, awarding her with All-Conference Honors, and an NAIA qualifying mark. She headed down to Gainesville, Florida to race in the 1K.

This was not Vandlandingham's first time at NAIA Nationals; she attended in 2024, racing the 1,000 Meters, finishing 18^th with a time of 3:03.95. She also attended last year, racing the 1K again and as a part of the Women's Distance Medley Relay team. In the 1K, she ran a time of 3:00.30 and took home a 15^th finishing spot. Ashlyn and the rest of the Distance Medley Relay team, finished in 8^th place, earning All-American Honors. 

At the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Nationals, Vandlandingham showed her experience with high-level racing and competition, putting up a smart and tough race. Her efforts got her to a 13^th place finish, with a time of 2:57.03. 

DID YOU KNOW? In a matter of 2 weeks, Ashlyn Vanlandhingham set, and reset, her school record in the 1,000 Meters. She reset her record at the Indoor AAC Championships, then again at NAIA Indoor Nationals. The SCAD Atlanta Track and Field record for the 1,000 Meters is now 2:57.03.

WHAT'S NEXT? The SCAD Atlanta Track and Field teams return to compeition on March 20^th and 21^st at the Yellow Jacket Invitational, hosted by Georgia Tech.