WARRENSBURG, Mo. - With less than three weeks until William Woods University's last American Midwest Conference Outdoor Championships, the Owls' women's track and field team continued to set new season and personal bests, in the Outdoor Mule Relays, hosted by NCAA Division II University of Central Missouri Friday at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.

William Woods NAIA 'B' Standard national qualifier in the 10,000-meter run, Mekayla Gibson, led three Owls to new personal bests in the 5k, finishing eighth out of 46 with a time of 17 minutes and 39.06 seconds. Also PR'ing in the 5k for The Woods, Hailey Gerard took 10th at 17:49.24 and Crystal Ruden 23rd at 18:35.62.

Also shining in a long-distance event for WWU, Christian Steuck, in only her second 3k steeplechase, ran a new PR of 14:22.7.

"I am very happy with the strong performance across the board, the women showed today," William Woods track and field assistant coach Gregory A. Keeler said. "It is a good sign going into the conference championship when runners are still setting personal best times."

Other season and personal bests for the Owls were set by Myra Baker in the 800 run (2:26.97), Emma Clifford in the 400 hurdles (1:17.23), De'Prisha Chatman in the triple jump (10.51 meters [34 feet and 5¾ inches]) and Lexi Clifford in the javelin (34.59m [113-6]).

Competing in its final meet of the regular season, William Woods experiences a venue for its future, as it takes part in the Culver-Stockton Invitational, hosted by future conference opponent Culver-Stockton College next Friday at Richeson Track in Canton. Women's field events begin at 10 a.m. and track at 10:30 a.m.

Results

Javelin
22nd: Lexi Clifford 34.59m (113-6) (PR, prev. 33.92m [111-3])

Pole Vault
16th: Esther (El) Reagan 3m (9-10) (PR, prev. 2.85m [9-4¼])
17th: Ashley Strode 2.85m (9-4¼) (PR, prev. 2.75m [9-¼])

Triple Jump
16th: De'Prisha Chatman 10.51m (34-5¾) (PR, prev. 10.12m [33-2½])
29th: Jesse Gresham 9.81m (32-2¼) 
DNS: Heidi Baranauskas

High Jump
DNS: Crystal Ruden

100-Meter Dash Prelims
46th: Jesse Gresham 13.6

3,000-Meter Steeplechase
21st: Christian Steuck 14:22.7 (PR, prev. 14:53.31)

1,500-Meter Run
44th: Sarah Kirby 5:30.84
DNS: Amy Schreck

4x100-Meter Relay
11th: De'Prisha Chatman, Jesse Gresham, Rylie Bales and Madison Dixon 52.09

400-Meter Dash
40th: Madison Dixon 1:04.57

800-Meter Run
30th: Myra Baker 2:26.97 (PR, prev. 2:27.3)

400-Meter Hurdles
21st: Emma Clifford 1:17.23

200-Meter Dash
33rd: Madison Dixon 26.97
DNS: Jesse Gresham

5,000-Meter Run
8th: Mekayla Gibson 17:39.06 (PR, prev. 17:52.59)
10th: Hailey Gerard 17:49.24 (PR, prev. 17:57.27)
23rd: Crystal Ruden 18:35.62 (PR, prev. 18:54.67)

4x400-Meter Relay
8th: Madison Dixon, Myra Baker, Emma Clifford and Rylie Bales 4:18.09