MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Gallaudet University All-American senior sprinter Eric Gregory (Metairie, La.) is a three-time defending national champion in the men's 400-meter dash.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Gregory completed something only two other NCAA Division III sprinters have ever done in the history of the division.

It took a little longer than expected but history was made here Saturday evening at the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Outdoor National Championships. Several lightning delays caused a major delay in getting the Championship Saturday track events underway.

Once the clouds broke and the rain and lightning cleared out, things got started over three hours delayed and under the lights at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.

Gregory lined up in Lane 4 for the 400-meter dash and got off to a terrific start.

Puget Sound freshman Alexander Rhodes pushed Gregory down the stretch but there was no denying this Bison.

Gregory posted a winning time of 45.73 seconds which is the second fastest time in Division III all-time. The time is a new Gallaudet school record, a personal best time for Gregory and a new facility record.

Gregory's previous best time was 45.93 set at last year's NCAA Division III championships in Rochester, N.Y., on May 27, 2023.

Gregory joins the elite company of Susquehanna's Mike Spangler (1986-88) and Lincoln's (Pa.) Bobby Young (2005-07) as the only three-time consecutive champions in the 400-meter dash in NCAA Division III history.

Gregory is the only national champion in Gallaudet's athletic history (individual or team).

Rhodes finished second in the 400-meter dash final with a time of 46.20 seconds and the other six runners finished with times starting with 47 seconds. The eighth-place runner was nearly two seconds behind Gregory.

The Gallaudet senior sprinter had less than 90 minutes to recover and race in the 200-meter dash that started at 10 p.m. (EST).
 
Gregory went toe-to-toe with defending champion Sam Blaskowski from Wisconsin-La Crosse but finished second with a time of 20.70 seconds, a new season best. Blaskowski crossed in 20.63 seconds to set a new facility record.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse won the 2024 team national championship with 76 team points followed by Wisconsin-Oshkosh in second place (48 team points) and Rowan University and Bethel (Minn.) University were tied for third (43).

Gregory earned 18 team points for his two stellar performances to place Gallaudet 11th overall in the team standings. The 18 team points and 11th place finish are the highest Gallaudet has ever finished at a NCAA national championship.

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This concludes the 2024 Gallaudet men's outdoor track and field season.