Stephanie Helm finished second in the 3,000 meters at the NAIA Indoor Championships.
Two C of I Runners Earn All-America Honors at NAIA Indoor Nationals
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Stephanie Helm recorded the highest finish ever by a College of Idaho track athlete at any NAIA Championship event, finishing second today in the 3,000 meter final at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
The freshman from Challis ran a tactical race, staying right with Jamie Cantebury of Azusa Pacific until the two laps to go mark - as the junior pulled away for the victory. However, Helm was able to hold off Kelly Hanlon of Roberts Wesleyan for second with a time of 10:16.36 - earning eight team points. She also became the first C of I women's runner to earn All-America honors in track.
"Stephanie ran as good of a race as she could today," said head coach Pat McCurry. Her finish helped the C of I women to a 22nd-place finish in the championships.
On the men's side, Caldwell native Tyler Hopper was in the mix with the leaders in his 1,000-meter final, but finished fifth, one second behind champion Durrell Williams of Oklahoma Baptist. The senior capped his indoor career with a 2:30.90 - good enough to become the second indoor track All-American for the Coyotes, helping the Yotes to a 38th-place finish as a team.
"Tyler ran well today - he gave it everything he had," said McCurry. "After so many trips to nationals, he finally got the All-American monkey off his back."