GULF SHORES, Ala. – Every story has an ending, some are good, some are bad. The story that is the four-year Jessup career of
Rachel Travis came to an end Wednesday on Day One of the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship. How the story ended could be described in one word, perfect.
Making her third appearance at an NAIA National Championship, Travis closes her collegiate career as a two-time All-American.
"It was just awesome," said head coach
Jeff Magley. "It's been an amazing opportunity to be her head coach these last four years and to get to see her growth and maturity from when I first arrived to now, the final meet of her athletic career.
"To be a three time now national qualifier and two time All-American, it's kind of a dream ending to a career and a season."
Travis, Jessup's all-time record holder in the pole vault, was competing in her third consecutive national championship, dating back to the 2021 Outdoor Nationals last season. The senior earned All-American honors earlier this year at the Indoor National Championship in South Dakota.
Gulf Shores was no sunny paradise on Wednesday, as action was actually brought to a halt before all events could take place due to thunderstorms in the area.
"The pole vault is probably the event in our sport that's affected most by those conditions," added Magley on the weather. "It just has a huge effect on your approach, your run, your pole plant, and she handled it very well. Rachel cleared the first two bars on her first attempts, which was the difference. That was huge."
Travis finished eighth after a top mark of 3.55m. As the only two-time All-American pole vaulter in Jessup history, Travis brings to an end and amazing career with the Warriors.
But the day was not done. Over on the track,
Kamil Jones took part in the men's 400M Hurdle trials. With a time of 57.19, Jones did not finish in the top eight and did not qualify for the finals on Friday evening.
The wind and a rare mishap, says Magley, played a factor in Jones' run.
"He was running a great race through the first half and then hit hurdle number seven with his lead leg, which is the first time that has happened to him since he started running the hurdles five weeks ago. That really impacted his rhythm and his ability to close the final four hurdles of the race."
Jones was the GSAC Champion in this event, and finishes his final race of the season four seconds off his lifetime PR. Having run this event for the first time less than two months ago, Magley feels optimistic Jones will be ending his season in Alabama again next year.
"(Kamil) had a great year. School record, GSAC Championship, gained valuable experience this week. He will be back next year, no doubt in my mind."
The day was all set to end with the running of the women's 10K at 9:00 p.m. (EST), featuring Jessup's
Azalea Prince, but mother nature had other plans. The bad weather in Alabama never ceased, forcing the day to end early and move the remaining events to tomorrow.
What time Prince will run is still to be determined, but early reports state it will be in the evening. Two athletes will be in action tomorrow for the Warriors, as
Alexis Jones will start the day with the women's triple jump.
"(Alexis) has been looking great in practice," added Magley. "We're really excited to see her go in the triple jump. She has a great opportunity there."
On the rescheduled 10K, Magley noted, "There are a lot of very talented women in that race, and we are excited to see Azalea and engage with that field of runners. We are very excited for day two, hopefully we can get a break in the weather."
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William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).
