Lipscomb’s Madi Talbert made school and Atlantic Sun Conference history when she qualified for the Nationals in the 3,000 meter steeplechase for the fourth straight year.

That record-setting performance highlighted Lipscomb athletes’ performances during last weekend’s Division I East Region Preliminaries in Jacksonville, Florida.

Talbert — one of five Lipscomb participants in the Region prelims — finished 11th out of 48 runners, posting a time of 10:04.48 in the steeplechase.

Head coach Bill Taylor said it has been a joy to watch Talbert’s progress as an athlete.
“It’s pretty amazing how she has developed from a high schooler with a 3,200m PR of 11:31 to a four-time NCAA Division I National Finals qualifier, two-time All-American so far, Olympic Trials qualifier and a runner with a (personal record) of 9:50 for the 3,000m Steeplechase,” Taylor said.

“That’s quite a journey and should be an inspiration for our athletes that it doesn’t matter where you come from; big things can happen if you believe in yourself.”

Talbert has twice earned All-American honors in her previous National Championship appearances. She looks to add to that in her appearance at Nationals June 8-11 in Eugene, Oregon.

Senior Gemikal Prude also completed his Lipscomb career in style at the preliminaries in his home state of Florida. Even though he didn’t advance, he gave thanks to the university for his experiences and the education he’s received.

“Never would I have imagined having the opportunities, traveling to places and meeting the people that I have,” said Prude of his growth as a Lipscomb student athlete.

“High jump hasn’t necessarily been part of my life for too long, but I am so happy that I can hang up the spikes, knowing that I gave it my everything. It was an amazing ride.”

Taylor said he was proud of all of his athletes and took special pride in the performances of Talbert and Prude.

“Madi and Gemikal are proof we can do amazing things at Lipscomb, and we can compete with the top of the NCAA Division I,” Taylor said.

“It’s the end of an era in a sense, with both being seniors. After Madi finishes up at National Finals, it will be time to start a new era.”

Wayne Newman, one of Lipscomb’s youngest and most successful players, competed in two events, finishing 30th in the 110m hurdles,  just six spots outside of National Championship qualifying range, with a time of 14.26 seconds.

In the 400m hurdles, he finished 34th with a mark of 52.75 seconds.

In the 10,000m, juniors Barbara Lee Ball and Sally Larson placed 26th and 41st, respectively. Ball ran a time of 35:31.15, while Larson finished in 36:34.02.

“Barbara Lee and Sally had a strong season, especially in the 10,000m,” Taylor said.

“I know they have learned more, have more experience and are ready to be key contributors for the team again next year. They will be ready to have a terrific senior season starting in the fall.”

Additional reporting by Lipscomb Athletics

Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics

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