Memphis, Tenn.- The Blue Mountain Christian University track and field teams turned in several strong performances this weekend as the Toppers competed at the Rhodes Invitational in Memphis, Tennessee. 
The highlight of the meet was a first-place finish from Ella Shepherd in the women's 3000m steeplechase, while multiple Toppers recorded Top-10 finishes against a competitive field of NAIA, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III programs.
Shepherd delivered an impressive performance in the women's 3000m steeplechase, crossing the line in first place with a time of 12:18.57 to claim the event title. 
The Toppers also saw a strong distance showing from Kaedyn Wilson, who placed eighth in the women's 5000m with a time of 19:28.10.
In the women's middle-distance events, Jorja Kate Mooneyhan led the way with a 10th-place finish in the 800m (2:37.13) and also competed in the mile where she finished 18th (5:56.32). Ruth Hutchinson added a 13th-place finish in the 800m (2:44.50) and placed 21st in the mile (6:02.54). 
Leah Montgomery rounded out the mile competitors with a time of 6:59.09. 
The women's 4x800m relay team of Hutchinson, Mooneyhan, Wilson, and Shepherd also turned in a solid performance, finishing fourth with a time of 10:19.72.
On the men's side, Jonah Barnhardt led the Toppers in the 5000m with a seventh-place finish and a time of 15:32.44, one of the top performances of the meet for Blue Mountain. 
Braxton Enzor also turned in a strong effort in the men's 3000m steeplechase, finishing fourth in 12:03.67.
The men's middle-distance group saw several competitive finishes. 
Lukas Dykes led the Toppers in the 800m with a ninth-place finish (2:04.84), followed by JaKarien Perry in 10th (2:05.64) and Samuel Hopper in 13th (2:12.32). 
Dykes also paced the Toppers in the mile with a time of 4:40.50. 
Barnhardt (4:43.11) and Perry (4:49.71) also competed in the event.
In relay action, the men's 4x800m team of Dykes, Hopper, Perry, and Barnhardt finished fifth overall with a time of 8:36.51. 
In field events, Jared Mooneyhan recorded a fifth-place finish in the pole vault, clearing 3.20 meters (10-6).
Other Topper performances included Erick Flores (17:43.95), Noah Harrington (18:03.77), and John Thomas Draper (18:25.49) in the men's 5000m, while Abby Laney represented Blue Mountain in the women's discus with a throw of 27.61 meters.
Blue Mountain will look to build on these performances as they continue their outdoor season in the coming weeks.
 
Topper Results
3000m Steeplechase
Women
Ella Shepherd – 1st – 12:18.57
Men
Braxton Enzor – 4th – 12:03.67
5000m
Women
Kaedyn Wilson – 8th – 19:28.10
Lauren Paul – 25th – 23:09.12
Men
Jonah Barnhardt – 7th – 15:32.44
Erick Flores – 32nd – 17:43.95
Noah Harrington – 36th – 18:03.77
John Thomas Draper – 38th – 18:25.49
Mile
Women
Jorja Kate Mooneyhan – 18th – 5:56.32
Ruth Hutchinson – 21st – 6:02.54
Leah Montgomery – 33rd – 6:59.09
Men
Lukas Dykes – 20th – 4:40.50
Jonah Barnhardt – 27th – 4:43.11
Jakarien Perry – 33rd – 4:49.71
Samuel Hopper – 44th – 5:07.71
John Thomas Draper – 48th – 5:22.60
Lelan Boulden – 49th – 5:27.31
800m
Women
Jorja Kate Mooneyhan – 10th – 2:37.13
Ruth Hutchinson – 13th – 2:44.50
Men
Lukas Dykes – 9th – 2:04.84
Jakarien Perry – 10th – 2:05.64
Samuel Hopper – 13th – 2:12.32
4x800m Relay
Women
Blue Mountain (Hutchinson, Mooneyhan, Wilson, Shepherd) – 4th – 10:19.72
Men
Blue Mountain (Dykes, Hopper, Perry, Barnhardt) – 5th – 8:36.51
Discus
Women
Abby Laney – 17th – 27.61m
Pole Vault
Men
Jared Mooneyhan – 5th – 3.20m (10-6)
 
 
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