WCHS graduate Robert Murphy competed for IUPUI in the NCAA Track Championships in Oregon Wednesday night (Photo courtesy of the IUPUI Sports Information Department)

EUGENE, Ore. – Robert Murphy, the most decorated runner in IUPUI history had his collegiate career come to a close Wednesday night.

Murphy, a former distance standout at Warsaw Community High School,  tested himself against the nation’s best in the 3,000m steeplechase in the NCAA Track Championships at historic Hayward Field.

On a beautifully overcast, temperate Oregon evening, Murphy placed tenth in the first of two heats of his best event, posting a time of 9:10.92, well off his typical effort.

Murphy surged to the front of the pack from the opening gun and held the lead at the end of the initial lap. He was still near the front after the second lap and settled in among the 12-man pack for the middle portion of the race. However, he was unable to match the move of the leaders late in the race, sliding back to a tenth-place finish. He ultimately placed 22nd of the 24 national qualifiers, bringing his collegiate career to an end.

The top 12 competitors, the top five in each heat plus the next two fastest times, advance to the finals Friday night.

The good natured Murphy even took a jab at himself on social media immediately afterwards. The Warsaw-native posted a screenshot of him leading the race in the opening stages with the following quote underneath.

“Well it certainly wasn’t great (or even good), but at least I had a pretty epic start.”

Texas Tech’s Benard Keter won the heat in a time of 8:43.49 as the first heat was considerably slower than the second. Louisville senior Edwin Kibichiy won the second heat in a time of 8:41.07 as the evening’s seven fastest times came from the second race.

“I give Rob credit in that he went out and went for it,” IUPUI Head Coach Chuck Koeppen said. “It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re running here and you know that the TV cameras are on and people everywhere are watching.

“I know he wishes he would’ve run better, but he put himself out there and that’s all we can ask for.”

Murphy closes his career as a six-time Summit League individual champion and IUPUI’s first-ever NCAA Regional and National qualifier.