Women's Track and Field | 5/26/2023 6:25:00 PM
Marion, Ind. - Making her third appearance in the finals of the 3000m steeplechase at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the fastest qualifying time, there was a sense of determination in College of Idaho junior
Sage Martin on Friday.
A jubilant Sage Martin crosses the finish line on her way to the national title in the 3000m steeplechase.
Photo by IWU Athletics.
The Meridian, Idaho native stayed close with Evie Miller of St. Francis (Ind.) for the first 2400 meters of the race before pulling away in the final 300 meters on her way to the victory and the prestigious national title. Martin crossed the line in 10:17.90 to secure the title, becoming the second College of Idaho student-athlete to win a national title in the steeplechase in program history and the seventh performer to win an individual national title in school history. The last individual national title was won by
Catylynn Duff, who won a national title in the weight throw at the 2022 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships. The other C of I champion in the 3000m steeplechase was Sora Klopfenstein, who won a national title in 2013. For Martin, it is her fifth All-American citation including an eighth-place finish in 2021 and a third-place effort in 2022 in the 3000m steeplechase.
Teammate
Larissa Mauer picked up her third All-American honor with a seventh-place finish with a time of 10:54.81. Moments later in the men's 3,000m steeplechase
Braden Heath picked the perfect time for a PR in his final collegiate race. The Meridian native snagged All-American honors with an eighth-place finish in a time of 9:19.20. The fourth College of Idaho student-athlete to receive All-American honors on the afternoon came when
Abbey Shirts was fourth in the 1500m run with a time of 4:28.48. For Shirts, it is her fourth individual All-American citation.
Later on Friday, Martin and teammate
Ellyse Tingelstad found themselves in their second event at the championship in the 5000m run. Tingelstad was in the top four throughout the race and in the final 400, the final pack started to separate and the Joseph, Ore. native found herself in contention for her second All-American laurel of the week. She crossed the line in third place in a time of 17:10.24 to secure All-American honors.
Martin used the same closing speed that won her a national title to secure the final All-American spot with an eighth-place finish in a time of 17:33.96.
With six All-Americans, the College of Idaho women finished tied for eighth with 32 points in the team race.
