JOLIET, Ill. -- Sam Mickelson recorded NAIA "B" standard mark in the 3,000-meter steeple chase on Friday for the University of St. Francis men's outdoor track & field team, while 14 additional Saints competed at USF's own Fighting Chance Invite on Friday and Saturday.  The meet was the final meet of the 2025 regular season before the NAIA National Championships commence on May 21.

Mickelson turned in the fastest time of NAIA competing institutions, and third best overall among the 38 competitors, in the steeple chase event.  His recorded time of 9:17.73 gained the graduate senior an invitation to compete in the national championships alongside teammate Michael Reif, who had previously qualified earlier this year in the 5,000-meter race.

Reif also led USF's six-man contingent in this weekend's 5,000-meter race with his ninth-place finish.  He ran a 14:42.73 in the event.  Also competing in the contest were Jack Wright, Scott Crabb, Miguel Garcia, Alberto Fernandez Arango, Manuel Soto and Tizoc Landeros.  Wright posted a final time of 14:5.25, while the remaining five crossed the line in order at 15:06.67, 15:16.46, 15:20.46, 15:49.65 and 16:14.98, respectively.

Up Next
A total of two USF athletes will be making the trip to the 73rd Annual Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, which take place May 21-23 at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.