Women's Cross Country Signing Day Central

SHAWNEE – Women's Cross Country at OBU added to its roster on National Signing Day.
 

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Michaela Phipps
Michaela Phipps comes to OBU from Artesia (New Mexico) High School where she ran for coaches Shelley Ebarb and Matt Conn.
 
Phipps qualified for State, medaled at the District Meet and was Team MVP all three years of her high school career. She also received the Leadership Award as a junior.
 
She also qualified in track in the 800 and 1600 relay and placed second in districts in the 800 and third in the 1600 and 3200. Her best times are 2:37 in the 800, 6:03 in the 1600, 13:09 in the 3200, 19:30 in the three-mile and 21:36 in the 5K.
 
The daughter of Thad and Alisha Phipps, Michaela also maintains a 4.0 grade point average, is a member of the National Honor Society and earned Highest Honors since her freshman year.
 
"I chose OBU because God spoke very clearly to my heart when I first stepped on campus," said Phipps. "After my first visit (as a junior in high school), I prayed for a year about where God desired for me to go and grow in Him, and God kept placing OBU in sight. He has provided the means for me to visit campus and connect with extraordinary people who love the Lord and are excited to see me grow academically and spiritually. The atmosphere of OBU is wonderful because of the body of believers that comprise it, and I believe God desires OBU to be my place, too."

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Caitlin Mertz
Caitlin Mertz comes to OBU from Southlake, Texas, where she helped Coach Justin Leonard's Southlake Carroll Senior High squad to three 6A girls State runner-up finishes.
 
Mertz has personal bests of 1:03.67 in the 400, 2:34.61 in the 800, 5:35 in the 1600 and 20:08.30 in cross country in the 5K.
 
She is the daughter of Dr. Marybeth Crane and James Mertz.
 
Mertz was recruited by Abilene Christian and Dallas Baptist.
 
"When I visited the campus, I immediately felt at home. The team was so warm and caring. The power of prayer led me to OBU," Mertz said.
 






 

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Emma Downing
Emma Downing earned All-State in cross country and was the State runner-up representing Mustang High School under Coach Mike McGary.
 
She also placed sixth in State in the 3200-meter relay and owns the school record in 200 medley relay in swimming.
 
The daughter of Debra and William Downing, Emma also is an AP Scholar, member of Superintendent's Honor Roll and All-Around Girl.
 
Her top times are 2:20 in the 800, 5:35 in the mile and 18:31 in the 5K.
 
Downing was recruited by Oklahoma City and Southern Nazarene.
 
"I wanted to come and get a great education that would push me to success in the medical field," said Downing. "I also wanted to come and run competitively for a great school. To come to a Christian college and get an education that was Christ centered has been a dream of mine, and OBU has fulfilled it."
 
 

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Berkley Price
Berkley Price, an incoming freshman from Cordell, is a 10-time State Champion in track and cross country.
 
Coached by Jana Rogers, Price won the 2014 State Cross Country Meet and was State Track Champion in the 3200 in 2014, 2016 and 2017, the 1600 in 2015, 2016 and 2017, the 4x800 in 2015 and 2016 and the 800 in 2017.
 
Price earned All-State in cross country four years and is an eight-time All-State honoree in track. Her top times are 11:35 in the 3200, 5:27 in the 1600, 5:04 in the 1500 and 2:20 in the 800.
 
Her efforts led CHS to State titles in cross country in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and track titles in 2015 and 2016.
 
She also is on track to graduate as valedictorian and has been named to the National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society and Superintendent's Honor Roll. She also attended the Biomedical Academy, where she was selected Outstanding Student of the Year.
 
She is the daughter of Jim and Dana Price.
Price was recruited by Dallas Baptist, Oklahoma Christian, Southwestern Oklahoma State, USAO and Cameron.
 
"I chose OBU because of the positive atmosphere I felt when visiting the campus and meeting the team," Price said. "I am also very impressed with the winning culture of the team and the outstanding nursing program. I feel that OBU is where God wants me to be."

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Alexzandria Hernandez
Alexzandria Hernandez, the daughter of Leighla Mason, comes to OBU from Enid High School, where she ran for Coach Steve Bloom.
 
Hernandez placed fifth at State as a senior and ninth as a junior and trimmed 53 seconds off her time in that span and earning All-State twice.
 
She won five consecutive meets her senior season and won the conference meet two consecutive seasons.
 
Hernandez also starred in the classroom, earning membership in the National Honor Society and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She is an honor student, Senior Class President and was Student of the Month September 2017.
 
Hernandez was recruited by Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Dallas Baptist, Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma Christian, Southwestern Oklahoma State, East Central, Cameron, Northwestern Oklahoma State, University of St. Mary, Sterling, Lyon, McPherson and Ottawa.
 
"I chose OBU because I really liked the atmosphere of the college and I loved how welcomed I felt during my tour," Hernandez said. "Another aspect of why I chose Oklahoma Baptist University over the other colleges is because I feel like I can further my running career with these amazing teammates and great coaches here at this college. Lastly OBU's science program is top ten in the nation, so I know I will get the education I need."