SHAWNEE – Junior multi-athlete Steven Schmidt won the heptathlon at the Washburn Open over the weekend, highlighting the Oklahoma Baptist men's track and field team's efforts over the two-day meet.
Schmidt racked up 5,504 points after seven events, good for an NCAA Division II provisional mark. It stands as the third-best total in the country and was 15 points shy of the all-time OBU record of 5,519 points, set by Jonathan Hilton in 2009. The total also broke the Washburn Open meet and facility records (5,282), held by Texas A&M Kingsville's Jonathan Harper.
Schmidt's personal-best mark in the heptathlon is 5,523 points, earned at the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. Furthermore, it is the third victory of his indoor career.
Schmidt posted wins in the long jump (7.07m, 23-2.5), high jump (2.09m, 6-10.25), 60m hurdles (8.44), and pole vault (4.86m, 15-11.25). Each were personal bests, as well as his heave of 12.53m (41-1.5) in the shot put that placed fifth. His vault was the highest clearance by a Bison this season and earned an NCAA provisional, along with his high jump.
Junior sprinter Sean Dixon placed sixth in the 400m with an NCAA provisional time of 48.47. It's the quickest time run by a Bison since 2022. Marcus Petersen trailed in 13th at 49.00.
In the field events, Trey Bartholomew finished fifth in the high jump (2.02m, 6-7.50), while Isaiah Willis' leap of 7.09m (23-3.25) earned seventh in the long jump.
Rounding out the notables was Anthony Phillips' eighth-place finish in the pole vault (4.50m, 14-9).
NEXT UP
Oklahoma Baptist will head to Pitt State Feb. 9-10 for the Indoor Gorilla Classic.
