East Central University Athletics

Women’s Track & Field Close Out Season at GAC Championships

5/3/2026 5:12:00 PM

SEARCY, Ark. – The East Central University women's track & field team closed out its season at the Great American Conference Championships April 29–May 1, highlighted by scoring performances in the distance events and contributions across the track and field.
 
Senior Mercy Kibiwott led the Tigers with ECU's top finish of the meet, placing fourth in the 10,000 meters with a time of 37:37.43 to earn five team points. She also added an 11th-place finish in the 5,000 meters (18:28.39).
 
In the field events, ECU picked up points in the high jump as freshman Jazmine White cleared 1.58 meters (5-2.25) to place seventh and score two points, while junior Zoe Grooms matched the mark to finish eighth and add one point. Lexii Lecrone also competed in the event, clearing 1.53 meters.
 
On the track, the Tigers' young sprint group gained valuable championship experience. Freshman Haley Ellison led ECU in the short sprints, finishing 17th in the 100 meters (12.64) and 20th in the 200 meters (25.93). She was joined in the 200 meters by Jordan Blades and White.
 
In the 400 meters, freshmen Destiny Jennings, Chloe Tatum, and Isabel Gabbert competed in preliminaries, while Stephanie Ojo represented ECU in the middle-distance events, racing in both the 800 meters and 1,500 meters.
 
The Tigers also competed in the 4x400-meter relay, finishing ninth with a time of 4:07.73.
 
The championship meet marked the final competition of the season for ECU, as the Tigers wrapped up the year gaining experience and building momentum for the future.

Highlighting ECU's success in the classroom, Kaylyn Cotner was named a GAC Elite Scholar Athlete. The Elite Scholar Athlete honor is awarded to student-athletes who maintain the highest cumulative grade point average among teams competing in the GAC Tournament. Herman was one of just 14 student-athletes across the conference to receive the distinction.
 
Zoe Grooms, Winnie Kipsang, Lexii Lecrone, and Jolee McIntyre also shined academically as they were named to the GAC Academic Honor Roll for their excellence in the classroom.