(This story has been updated with new information from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The accolades keep piling up for Michael Long in the 800-meter dash and Friday just added to the list for the sophomore from Naples. At the Arkansas Twilight Meet hosted by the University of Arkansas, Long posted a time of 1:47.68, the fastest time in the NAIA in the 21^st century and the fifth fastest time in NAIA history. He beat his personal best by over a second and beat the next runner from NCAA Division I UT Arlington by over half a second.

"He ran great," said head coach Alan Webb. "And I know he can go faster too. Had a tough travel [Thursday]…and still got it done."

The previous fastest time in the 800 meters in the 21^st century was set in 2017 by Marbeq Edgar from Wiley University at a time of 1:47.83. The fastest time in NAIA history was set at the 1999 NAIA National Championships by Kenneth Koech from McKendree (Ill.) with a time of 1:46.10, 1.58 seconds faster than Long's time on Friday. The time that Long beat for fifth place was held by Mike Boit who ran a 1:47.71 for Eastern New Mexico in 1976. Boit won the bronze medal in the 800m at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

Outside of the NAIA, Long's time would have ranked the fastest in NCAA Division III, the fifth fastest in NCAA Division II, the 45^th fastest in NCAA Division I and the 73rd fastest among all United States Outdoor meets.

Long won the Sun Conference Championship for the second year in a row on April 27 and was just getting an extra race in before the NAIA National Championships May 21-23. The qualifiers for the National Championships will be announced in the following week and Ave Maria expects to have multiple athletes make the meet.