Grace’s Isaac Brown placed 16th in high jump at the NAIA Outdoor Track Nationals. (Photo courtesy Jeff Nycz, Mid-South Images)

GULF SHORES, Ala. – Grace’s track and field team wrapped up the 2019 season at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships.

The Lancers sent five men to the national meet in a variety of events.

“We took five first-time qualifiers to the outdoor national meet, and they all had solid performances. It’s a learning experience to compete at a national meet, and they can all be back next year,” said Grace head coach Jeff Raymond.

Isaac Brown was Grace’s highest finisher. The freshman finished 16th in the high jump by clearing 6-feet-7.5.

Dylan Felger placed 17th in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 54.26 seconds.

Grace had three throwers represented. William Shafer threw the hammer 167-4 for 20th place, the second-longest toss of his career.

Thomas Hickerson tossed the javelin 164-5 to place 26th in the national meet, and Walker Hobbs placed 23rd in the shot put at 48-3.25.

“This year, these five men accounted for 3 school records, 3 All-Crossroads League honors and 5 NCCAA All-American performances. Plus, two were honored as NAIA Scholar-Athletes, so this group had a huge impact our team,” Raymond added.

Overall, Grace had seven members achieve Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete status. To earn Scholar-Athlete honors, a student-athlete must post a GPA of at least 3.5 and have achieved upperclassman status.

Alison Coleman, Brooke Treadway, Claire Lehman-Schletewitz, Jessica Zvers, John Marhefka, Hickerson and Shafer were Grace’s Scholar-Athletes.