SHAWNEE –
Sophia Strange and
Maxamillian Wheeler earned a spot at the NCAA Championship, representing Oklahoma Baptist Cross Country.
In the 2024 season, both Strange and Wheeler have consistently shown a fierce level of competitiveness.
Strange has led the Bison Women's Cross Country team at every race this season. The senior set a new personal record this season in the 5k in just the second outing for OBU this season, with a time of 16:59.3. The Houston, Texas, native, became the second female GAC runner to break the 17-minute mark in the 5k.
Strange finished first by a landslide at the GAC Conference Championship, finishing the 5k with a time of 18:22.4. The most recent race saw Strange finish the 6k, recording a 20:52.2 time at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championship, finishing fifth in the women's race.
This will be Strange's second appearance at the NCAA DII Championship and her final appearance in the green and gold for Cross Country. In the 2023 season, Strange made her debut at the NCAA DII Championship, finishing 32
nd with a new personal record of 20:37.0 in the 6k.
Wheeler will also be competing in his final race for OBU Cross Country. The 2024 NCAA DII Championship will see Wheeler make his inaugural appearance.
The senior has led the Men's Team at each competition this season. In the second meet this season, Wheeler claimed a new personal best in the 8k race with a time of 24:04.9, finishing eighth.
At the GAC Championship this season, the Edmond, Oklahoma, native, finished second in the men's 8k at 25 minutes on the dot. At regionals, Wheeler secured a ninth-place finish in the 10k, recording a time of 30:42.4.
