Shepherd wins steeplechase as Toppers compete at Rhodes Invitational
MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Blue Mountain Christian University posted several strong performances Saturday at the Rhodes Invitational, highlighted by Ella Shepherd’s victory in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, the university said. Shepherd won the event in 12:18.57 against a field that included NAIA and NCAA Division II and III programs.
Kaedyn Wilson led additional distance efforts for the Toppers with an eighth-place finish in the women’s 5,000 in 19:28.10. The women’s 4×800 relay of Ruth Hutchinson, Jorja Kate Mooneyhan, Wilson and Shepherd finished fourth in 10:19.72. Mooneyhan placed 10th in the 800 in 2:37.13 and 18th in the mile (5:56.32). Hutchinson was 13th in the 800 (2:44.50) and 21st in the mile (6:02.54).
On the men’s side, Jonah Barnhardt paced the distance corps with a seventh-place finish in the 5,000 in 15:32.44. Braxton Enzor was fourth in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in 12:03.67. The men’s 4×800 relay of Lukas Dykes, Samuel Hopper, JaKarien Perry and Barnhardt finished fifth in 8:36.51. Dykes also led the Toppers in middle-distance events, placing ninth in the 800 (2:04.84) and recording a 4:40.50 in the mile.
In field events, Jared Mooneyhan cleared 3.20 meters (10-6) to place fifth in the pole vault, and Abby Laney threw 27.61 meters in the women’s discus. Blue Mountain Christian University said the Toppers will look to build on these results as they continue their outdoor season in the coming weeks.
