MARION, Ind (Indiana Wesleyan University) - Deandre Leith entered the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Championships looking to defend his 2024 NAIA Outdoor Men's Shot title and came close to doing just that, finishing as the national runner-up in the event on Friday.

Leith's throw of 18.29 meters (PR, school record) in the shot put gives the graduate student the seventh NAIA All-American nod of his career, the most of any student-athlete in CIU athletics history. All of Leith's All-American honors have come from the shot put and the discus. Leith also competed in the latter event on Thursday, finishing 22nd with a mark of 45.48m. Leith, whose career started in the Big Ten at the University of Maryland finishes his career at CIU as one of the most decorated throwers in the NAIA over the last half-decade.

CIU throws coach John Sparks spoke on Leith's performance, saying, "This was a great way to finish off an outstanding collegiate track and field career for Deandre. To finish with a personal record and school record at the NAIA National Championships is the way you want to finish."

Elijah Seawright competed for CIU men's track & field this week as well, as the sophomore entered the competition fresh off an NCCAA Outdoor Triple Jump Championship just over a week and a half ago. Seawright finished 17th overall on Friday with a mark of 14.35.

The meet marks the end of the 2025 outdoor season for the Rams.