SLIAC Athletes Prepare For National Championship

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will be represented by six student-athletes this week at the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The six student-athletes, who will compete in seven different events, are tied for the most individuals sent to nationals for solo competition by the SLIAC, joining the 2001 and 2014 seasons, while the seven events are the third most, behind the nine events in 2011 and eight in 2015. There was a total of eight student-athletes that went to the 2011 and 2015 championships, however, those appearances included relay teams. 

Jeremiah Davis, from Greenville College, is the lone SLIAC representative to qualify in multiple events this weekend. Davis will compete in both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash, where he qualified 11th nationally in both events. Joining him will be teammates Andrew Sharp and Jarrid Williams. Sharp qualified in the 800-meter run, recording the 18th best time this spring nationally while Williams snuck into qualifying for the long jump at the 20th spot.

Principia College will send two student-athletes; Zach Matthiesen and Shane Witters-Hicks. Matthiesen qualified 15th nationally in the 1500 meter run while Witters-Hicks had the highest qualifying spot by a male SLIAC student-athlete this spring, qualifying 5th nationally in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

Also joining the five men at the championships will be Chelsea Gilles, from Greenville College, who is the only female student-athlete from the SLIAC to qualify this year. Gilles will be looking for a medal in the 400-meter run, where she put together the second fastest time nationally this season.

You can see the full start list for the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships HERE

The top 20 declared student-athletes on the men's side and top 22 declared student-athletes on the women's side from each event were accepted into competition at the championships. This year's championship will be held in Geneva, Ohio from May 25-27. For complete information on the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships including the event schedule and results click HERE