Updike 4 for 4 in All-American finishes in NAIA steeplechase
Ketchikan’s Isaac Updike didn’t collect his second national championship, so he settled for a school record instead.
The Eastern Oregon University senior runner came close to winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NAIA Track and Field Championships in Alabama, finishing second to collect his fourth All-American result of his college career.
He won the race in 2013.
Updike, of Ketchikan High fame, made his move with four laps left in the race and held that front position until he was passed by Wayland Baptist’s Benard Keter with 300 meters to go.
Updike finished in 8 minutes, 47 seconds – a time which broke his own school record.
His twin brother Lucas was fifth in 9:06.64.
This was the fourth time Updike finished in the top 10 – he was eighth as a freshman, fourth as a sophomore, first as a junior and second as senior.