Jeff Jackson became the second-ever individual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics champion in The Master's College history on Saturday, when he won the men's marathon at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field championships in Marion, Ind.

It is the first national championship for TMC's track and field program.

Chad Wensel won the school's first NAIA title in 2004 in men's golf.

"What Jeff accomplished at nationals cannot be overstated," said TMC head coach Zach Schroeder. "It was a tremendous achievement, not only for our program, but for The Master's College athletic department as a whole."

At mile 20, Jackson was over a minute behind leader Nick Gehlsen of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, but overtook Gehlsen at mile 24 and pulled away.

Jackson's final time was 2 hours, 31 minutes, 14 seconds, besting the second-place finisher by 1:30.

"I ran pretty conservatively and everybody in front tired," said Jackson, who was in third place at mile 22. "My style is to normally go to the front, but in a marathon you have to be patient and at mile 20 I picked it up. I passed (Gehlsen) at mile 24 and at mile 25 I looked back and I was all alone."

Jackson was honored as an NAIA All-American in the marathon, along with teammate Kevin Lawson who was honored in the triple jump.

Jackson will return in the fall to head a young cross country team that features local talents Anthony Pizzo and John Gilbertson.

Signal staff writer Paul Putignano contributed to this report.