By: Davis Barlow: Assistant Sports Information Director
NEED TO KNOW:
Top 3 Teams:
1. BRITISH COLUMBIA - 101.5
2. CUMBERLANDS - 52
3. DICKINSON STATE - 40
5. LIFE U - 27.5
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The Life University women's track and field program placed 5th at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor National Championships. The Running Eagles return to Marietta with one Individual National Champion, one National Champion relay, four total All-American placements and a top-five finish overall as a program.
DAY 1
Cameron Kelperis kicked off the meet in a big way for Life U. The senior became the first All-American of the week for the program early in the afternoon in the women's pole vault. Recording a final height of 3.83m, Kelperis finished T-8th for the All-American finish.
The action then moved to the track, where the team of Kelperis, Payton Knowles, Zaria Bonafede and Shevaughn Thomas placed 13th in the women's 4x100m relay with a combined time of 46.55. Thomas returned to the track an hour and a half later for the women's 400m hurdles, where the freshman cruised to qualify for the final heat in 59.85. Laisha Hernandez also competed in the event, placing 33rd with a time of 1:05.08.
In the final event of the first day, Najah Gibson, Kyja Williams, Sky Jones and Emeline Delaville combined for the women's 4x800m. Trailing by nearly six seconds entering the final leg, Delaville posted a 2:05 final 800m, that included a 58.73 split in the first 400m, to cap off a finals-qualifying time of 9:00.04.
DAY 2
Emeline Delaville kicked off the action on the track for the Running Eagles on Day Two. Posting a casual 2:09.66 in the women's 800m prelims, the junior won her heat to qualify for the finals. In the women's 400m prelims, Najah Gibson placed 21st with a time of 57.01.
The team of Carmen Crawford, Sky Jones, Maelle Spiegel and Kyja Williams became the first All-American relay for the program, placing 8th in the women's 4x800m relay (9:49.22).
Wrapping up the late day, the team of Shevaughn Thomas, Kamarra Trisch, Delaville and Gibson took to the track for the women's 4x800m relay prelims at 10:30 PM. Posting a new NAIA #1 time for the year, the group combined for a 3:42.56 that included a 52.40 split from Thomas.
DAY 3
Emeline Delaville opened the afternoon with a brilliant run in the women's 800m to reclaim her crown. After placing second in the event at the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Championships, the junior got back on top of the NAIA world with a 2:06.93.
Shevaughn Thomas followed shortly after in the women's 400m hurdles finals. Posting a 58.49, the freshman took home the bronze medal with a new personal-best time that also marked the third fastest women's 400m hurdles race in the NAIA this season.
Closing the meet in dominant fashion, Delaville and Thomas joined Cameron Kelperis and Najah Gibson for the women's 4x400m relay finals. The group posted a 3:41.72, marking the #1 time in the NAIA this year, winning the National Championship. Thomas led off with a 54.53, followed by Gibson with a 57.44. In second place after 800m, Kelperis turned in a 56.39 to hand off to Delaville in the lead. Closing the show, the junior anchor posted a 53.36 to claim first place.
UP NEXT:
--This marks the end of the 2025-26 Outdoor Season.
