ELSAH, Ill. - Mekayla Gibson added more to her illustrious William Woods University career, advancing to nationals with an NAIA 'B' standard time in the 5,000-meter run and earning two of the Owls' three individual championships as they placed second out of nine teams in the AMC Indoor Championships with 145 points - 22 away from champion Columbia College - Saturday at Coach Crafton Center.

"Not going to lie, losing by so little is still a bitter pill to swallow," William Woods track and field coach Anthony Stockton said. "I am so proud of this women's squad; not only did they show up, but they showed out and gave Columbia College, that has a bigger staff and team, a run for their money."

Running laps around her 5k competition, Gibson reached the finish line in 17 minutes and 51.62 seconds, taking the title by 1:45.01 and surpassing the NAIA 'B' standard benchmark by 5.52 seconds. Gibson joined Crystal Ruden in creating quite the one-two punch in the 3k, posting the only sub-11:30 times as Gibson won the race at 11:03.55 and Ruden placed second with All-AMC honors at a personal record 11:08.8.

Ruden also had an exceptional meet, winning one individual and relay event. She was named AMC champion in the high jump, going 1.53 meters (5 feet and ¼ inch), edging the runner-up by 0.05m (two inches). Between the high jump and 3k, Ruden ran the last and longest leg - 1,600m (one mile) - distance medley relay as she capped off a 13:42.87 championship-winning time, beating rival second-place CC by 27.37 seconds; Hailey Gerard (1,200m) was the lead runner, Emma Clifford (400m) the second runner and Myra Baker (800m) the third.

Another relay The Woods excelled in was the 4x800, in which Sydney Grubb, Christian Steuck, Kyah Weirich and Anna Hart took home second-team All-AMC honors at 11:49.88.

On the field side, the Owls recorded second- and third-team All-AMC results in the pole vault and triple jump. WWU's exceptional pole vaulting pair of Esther (El) Reagan (2.95m [9-8]) and Ashley Strode (2.8m [9-2¼]) placed second and third, respectively. In the triple jump, De'Prisha Chatman took second at a PR 10.4m (34-1½), and Heidi Baranauskas, named the Owls' Champions of Character representative, was third at 10.31m (33-10), which matched her PR set initially Jan. 18.

William Woods' strength all season was the mid- and long-distance events, and it showed by registering seven out of a possible 18 All-AMC finishes. Named third-team All-AMC in mid-/long-distance races for the Owls were Clifford in the 600 at a PR of 1:50.04, Baker in the 800 at 2:33.32, Gerard in the 1,000 at 3:12.44 and Gibson in the mile at 5:30.98.

Overall, the Owls had 14 All-AMC displays. With the addition of three individual and one relay championship, William Woods totaled a conference-best six-team-AMC-indoor titles and 78 individual/relay championships over 15 conference championships.

"I know we could have won, and it hurts not to," Stockton said. "However, these women showed up and performed just like I knew they would. I want to thank coach Dan and previous coaches for their hard work to help the team being in the position we are in. Outdoors is ours, and I can't wait to see their smiles as they earn it."

Gibson goes for her second straight 5k All-American finish in the 45th Annual NAIA Women's Indoor Track & Field National Championship at 3:55 p.m. March 1 at Alachua County Sports & Events Center in Gainesville, Florida.

2025 AMC Indoor Track and Field Championships Final Standings
1. Columbia 167
2. William Woods 145
3. Missouri Baptist 102
4. Cottey 85
5. UHSP 63
6. Hannibal-LaGrange 53
7. Harris-Stowe State 31
8. Williams Baptist 29
9. Haskell Indian Nations 22
NTS Central Baptist 0

WWU's Individual Results

Weight Throw
7 - Allison Kenneavy 12.65m (41-6)

High Jump
1 - Crystal Ruden 1.53m (5-¼)
6 - Esther (El) Reagan 1.38m (4-6¼)
8 - Emma Clifford 1.33m (4-4¼)

Pole Vault
2 - Esther (El) Reagan 2.95m (9-8)
3 - Ashley Strode 2.8m (9-2¼)

Long Jump
6 - De'Prisha Chatman 4.84m (15-10½) (PR, prev. 4.63m [15-2¼])
8 - Heidi Baranauskas 4.7m (15-5)

Shot Put
9 - Allison Kenneavy 10.38m (34-¾)

Triple Jump
2 - De'Prisha Chatman 10.4m (34-1½) (PR, prev. 10.26m [33-8])
3 - Heidi Baranauskas 10.31m (33-10) (Matched PR, initially set Jan. 18)

Distance Medley Relay
1 - Hailey Gerard, Emma Clifford, Myra Baker and Crystal Ruden 13:42.87

4x800-Meter Relay
2 - Sydney Grubb, Christian Steuck, Kyah Weirich and Anna Hart 11:49.88 (First Race Together)

5,000-Meter Run
1 - Mekayla Gibson 17:51.62 (NAIA 'B' Standard)
6 - Kathryn Hirtz 20:20.27 (PR, prev. 20:28)
7 - Sarah Kirby 20:36.13 
9 - Tara Lowe 21:22.56
12 - Amy Schreck 22:07.5
DNF - Carlee Moss

60-Meter Dash Prelims
5 - Madison Dixon 8.16 (PR, prev. 8.19)
14 - De'Prisha Chatman 8.98

One-Mile Run
3 - Mekayla Gibson 5:30.98
4 - Crystal Ruden 5:34.13
8 - Sydney Grubb 6:01.85 (First Collegiate Time)
10 - Sarah Kirby 6:09.09 (First Collegiate Time)

400-Meter Dash
9 - Myra Baker 1:06.57
DQ - Rylie Bales

60-Meter Dash Final
5 - Madison Dixon 8.08 (PR, prev. 8.16)

600-Meter Run
3 - Emma Clifford 1:50.04 (PR, prev. 1:51.11)

800-Meter Run
3 - Myra Baker 2:33.32
8 - Christian Steuck 2:48.04

1,000-Meter Run
3 - Hailey Gerard 3:12.44
7 - Emma Clifford 3:36.58 (PR, prev. 3:37.95)

200-Meter Dash
6 - Madison Dixon 27.33 (PR, prev. 27.88)
14 - De'Prisha Chatman 30.14 (First Collegiate Time)
15 - Rylie Bales 30.33 (First Collegiate Time)

3,000-Meter Run
1 - Mekayla Gibson 11:03.55
2 - Crystal Ruden 11:08.8 (PR, prev. 11:12.66)
8 - Kathryn Hirtz 11:55.6 (First Collegiate Time)
10 - Kyah Weirich 12:06.9 (PR, prev. 12:26.56)
13 - Sydney Grubb 12:23.07 (PR, prev. 12:27.36)
14 - Amy Schreck 12:23.12 (First Collegiate Time)
15 - Tara Lowe 12:23.96
16 - Sarah Kirby 12:33.79
DNS - Anna Hart
DNS - Carlee Moss

4x400-Meter Relay
4 - Emma Clifford, Rylie Bales, Hailey Gerard and Myra Baker 4:26.84 (Season Best, prev. 4:27.52)