Drew Dailey placed 10th in the 800 meters at the 2024 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas, on March 8.

Dailey is a member of Shippensburg University’s men’s indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and cross country teams. As a fifth-year graduate student, he says that he could not have asked for a better experience.

In March 2023, Dailey qualified and competed in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, placing 14th despite an injury. Dailey suffered a bone spur in his heel, causing pain while walking and running.

A month after the national meet, Dailey underwent a successful surgery to shave down the bone spur on his heel.

Dailey was out for the 2023 cross country season. After four months off, a tedious recovery process loomed ahead of Dailey. He attended physical therapy three times a week and did cross training in the pool and rode a stationary bike.

Coach Steve Spence, Dailey’s mid-distance coach, says Dailey’s comeback was conservative to help him get as far in the season as he could.

“He was dedicated to his physical therapy and listening to them through his comeback,” said  Spence.

Following his return to indoor track and field, he qualified and competed at the PSAC Indoor Track and Field Championships and won the 800 meters with his fastest time since returning.

“I was feeling like myself again, running normally and feeling good,” said Dailey.

The week after the PSAC Championships, Dailey traveled to the Fast Track Last Chance Meet in Staten Island, New York. He came close to his personal best time and qualified for the 2024 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Dailey was not expecting to qualify for nationals this season.

“I was in complete shock … I could not help but smile to realize that I was back in that stage again,” said Dailey.

Dailey traveled and competed at the NCAA Championships healthy and without pain. Dailey finished 10th in the 800 meters, beating his placement in the 14 seed, and earning himself his best place in his athletic career. He narrowly missed qualifying for finals with his time of 1:51.75, which was third in his heat.

Coach Spence was thankful to be able to attend NCAA Championships with Dailey and the team.

“He ran really well, he put it all out there, and he gave it everything he had,” said Spence.

Along with his 10th-place finish, Dailey also earned All-America Second Team Honors in the 800 meters.

“My career surpassed my expectations. I’m grateful for my successes at conference and national meets over the years,” said Dailey.

Dailey is graduating in May with a Master of Business Administration and says he plans to continue running for his own leisure but is stepping away from the competitive scene.

“His credentials coming into our program raised our standards, and I am looking forward to seeing what he continues to do in the future,” said Spence.

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