BEREA, Ohio – Three Baldwin Wallace University track and field student-athletes have earned the right to continue their season at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
The outdoor track and field teams will be represented by junior All-OAC sprinter Abby Collier (Dublin / Coffman), junior All-American distance runner Hope Murphy (Mogadore), and junior All-American high jumper Christian Pfeiffer (Amherst).
Collier makes her second appearance to the outdoor championships. She qualifies for the 400-meter dash with her qualifying time of 55.70 at the OAC Outdoor Championships. Her last outdoor championship appearance, Collier competed in the 400-meter prelims, making her the first sprinter in seven years to compete at the national meet. She placed 20th in the event with a time of 57.82. This season, Collier earned her fifth career outdoor All-OAC honor after placing second in the 200-meter dash (24.77) and the 400-meter dash (55.70) at the OACs. She was also a part of the 4x100 All-OAC relay team.
Murphy qualifies for her fourth appearance to the outdoor championships. She qualifies for the 800-meter run with her time of 2:09.27 at the Harrison Dillard Twilight, and the 1500-meter run with her time of 4:29.06 at the Bison (Pa.) Outdoor Classic. Her last outdoor championship appearance, Murphy competed in the 1500-meter prelims placing 13th in the event with a time of 4:30.99. At the OAC Outdoor Championships, she was crowned the OAC Champion in the 800-meter run and the 1500-meter run. She was also a part of the 4x800 All-OAC relay team and earned her 12th career outdoor All-OAC honor. Murphy's phenomenal season led her to being crowned the Dave Lehman Outdoor Distance Co-Runner of the Year. She was also named the 2023-24 Marcia M. French Outstanding Senior Athlete, in addition to winning the Clyde A. Lamb Award.
Pfeiffer makes his second appearance to the outdoor championships. He qualifies for the high jump with his qualifying height of 2.12 meters at the OAC Outdoor Championships. Pfeiffer's mark currently ties him for first in the nation, and he's been in the No. 1 spot for most of the season. At the OAC Outdoor Championships, he won the high jump for the second consecutive year, earning his fourth career All-OAC honor. Prior to the OACs, Pfeiffer's distance broke a 47 year-old BW outdoor record that was previously tied by three student-athletes. He comes into the NCAA Championships as the defending Division III Indoor High Jump Champion. Pfeiffer is also the recipient of the 2023-24 Clyde A. Lamb Award.
The NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be hosted May 23-25 by Coastal Carolina (S.C.) University in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
