By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

VIRGINIA CITY, Va. -- Whitley Stepp (So., Silverton, OR/Regis HS) of Willamette University placed 18th in the women's high jump at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, March 9, at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Stepp and eight other athletes ended the competition in a tie for 11th place after clearing 5' 4.25". The tie was broken by fewest jumps, with Stepp taking 18th place after clearing 5' 4.25" on her final attempt at that height.

Stepp cleared 5' 2.25" on her first attempt. She went over the bar at 5'4.25" on her third attempt. She was one of nine jumpers who failed to clear 5' 6".

Grace Alley of Loras College (Iowa) won the women's high jump with a successful attempt at 5' 8.50". Alley and three other high jumpers made it over the bar at 5' 8.50", but Alley won on jumps.

Stepp cleared a top height of 5' 6" on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the George Fox University Indoor Meet #1 to qualify for the NCAA Championships. She also competed in the high jump at the Whitworth Indoor Invitational and placed fourth at 5' 3.75" on Feb. 10. Stepp ended the indoor regular season tied with 10 other jumpers for the 13th best height in NCAA Division III this year.