JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Crystal Ruden placed in the top four of two track and one field event, including a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter run at 11 minutes and 12.66 seconds in the Jim Green Invitational, hosted by NCAA Division III Illinois College Saturday at King Fieldhouse.

"On the women's side, I am excited to see how these young ladies have shown up and out," William Woods track and field coach Anthony Stockton said. "They continue to grow, and the AMC conference meet will be one to watch."

Before going just under two miles to earn gold in the 3,000, Ruden received bronze in the one-mile run at a personal record 5:32.32 - the top NAIA time in a field that included runners from Missouri Baptist University and Columbia College. On top of that, Ruden opened the day bright and early, 10 a.m., taking fourth in the high jump at 1.5 meters (4 feet and 11 inches).

Thirty minutes after Ruden began competing in the high jump, the Owls' distance medley relay team of Kyah Weirich, Rylie Bales, Christian Steuck and Tara Lowe took the starting line and went on to earn silver by completing the race in 14:44.97.

In addition to Ruden's high jump performance, The Woods had two more fourth-place finishes, Esther (El) Reagan in the pole vault at 2.95m (9-8) and Hailey Gerard in the 800 run at 2:26.56.

Rounding out the Owls' eight top-five displays were their two fifth-place showings: Ashley Strode in the pole vault at 2.8m (9-2¼) and De'Prisha Chatman in the triple jump at 9.88m (32-5). 

While the pole vault was WWU's strongest event overall on the field, the 3k was on the track. Sarah Kirby joined Ruden in the 3k top six, placing sixth at 11:42.65.

The Owls look to carry their momentum into the postseason when they compete in their last American Midwest Conference Indoor Championships at 10 a.m. next Saturday at Coach Crafton Center in Elsah, Illinois. 

William Woods has six team titles (2023 most recent) and 74 individual/relay championships through the program's first 14 AMC Indoor Championships. The Owls' team and individual/relay championships are the most in the AMC, with fellow future Heart of America Athletic Conference member Missouri Baptist's three team and 69 individual/relay titles the second most.

Results

High Jump
4 - Crystal Ruden 1.5m (4-11)
11 - Esther (El) Reagan 1.3m (4-3¼)

Pole Vault
4 - Esther (El) Reagan 2.95m (9-8)
5 - Ashley Strode 2.8m 

Triple Jump
5 - De'Prisha Chatman 9.88m (32-5)

Shot Put
NM - Allison Kenneavy

Weight Throw
NM - Allison Kenneavy

Distance Medley Relay
2 - Kyah Weirich, Rylie Bales, Christian Steuck and Tara Lowe 14:44.97

60-Meter Dash Semi
10 - Madison Dixon 8.27
24 - De'Prisha Chatman 8.88 (PR, prev. 9.11)

1-Mile Run
3 - Crystal Ruden 5:32.32 (PR, prev. 5:46.41)
14 - Amy Schreck 6:05.9 (First Collegiate Time)
16 - Tara Lowe 6:09.52

400-Meter Dash
18 - Emma Clifford 1:07.4 (PR, prev. 1:08.29)
20 - Rylie Bales 1:08.88 (PR, prev. 1:11.18)

800-Meter Run
4 - Hailey Gerard 2:26.56
7 - Myra Baker 2:29.4 (PR, prev. 2:34.84)
15 - Christian Steuck 2:47.65

200-Meter Dash
19 - Madison Dixon 27.93
DNS - De'Prisha Chatman

3000-Meter Run
1 - Crystal Ruden 11:12.66 (First Collegiate Time)
6 - Sarah Kirby 11:42.65
13 - Sydney Grubb 12:27.36 (First Collegiate Time)
14 - Kyah Weirich 12:33.87
20 - Anna Hart 13:37.34 (First Collegiate Meet)
DNF - Carlee Moss

4x400-Meter Relay
DNS - Hailey Gerard, Christian Steuck, Rylie Bales and Tara Lowe