Friday, March 27
Raleigh, N.C.
3:30 PM ET
Liberty University
at
Raleigh Relays
Sophia Park (left) and Raini Mayo (right) both set steeplechase personal bests on Friday.
Liberty Women’s Steeplechase Crew Stands Out on Friday
3/28/2026 12:20:00 AM | Track and Field
RALEIGH, N.C. – Liberty women's distance runners recorded four personal bests within an impressive two-hour span at the Raleigh Relays on Friday at Paul Derr Track Facility, three of which came in the steeplechase.
Katrina Schlenker (10:10.54), Sophia Park (10:46.52) and Raini Mayo (10:48.36) accounted for the steeplechase bests, just before Ryann Aycock (16:51.35) joined the 5K's sub-17:00 club for the first time, near her hometown.
The 2025 CUSA women's steeplechase runner-up, Schlenker improved upon her previous best by five seconds. She now trails only Calli Doan in program history and should be heading back to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet for the second year in a row.
Park lopped a dozen seconds off her steeplechase best, joining the Lady Flames' all-time top 10 list at No. 6. Meanwhile, Liberty freshman record holder Mayo's first steeplechase as a sophomore ranks her No. 7 in program history.
Hailing from nearby Cary, N.C., Aycock battled with Georgia Tech's Hannah Schemmel for the victory in her heat of the women's 5K. Aycock ended up second in the section with a 16:51.35 effort that sliced 11 seconds off her previous best. Aycock just missed joining the Lady Flames' top 10 list, as Anna Hostetler currently sits at No. 10 with a 16:51.21 from the 2022 season.
Jessica Palisca paced Liberty's quartet of women's 1,500 competitors in 4:25.30. The senior narrowly missed her personal best of 4:25.04 and ran four seconds faster than she had at the 2025 Raleigh Relays.
Kate Loescher (4:33.88) was the fastest of the Lady Flames' three freshmen to contest the 1,500 Friday afternoon.
Following a lightning delay, Isabela Ross led Liberty with a 36:04.90 10K in the night's final race, ending just after midnight.
New Women's NCAA Division I East First Rounds Qualifiers
Katrina Schlenker – Steeplechase – 10:10.54
Updates to Liberty's All-Time Women's Top 10 List
Steeplechase – No. 2 – Katrina Schlenker – 10:10.54
Steeplechase – No. 6 – Sophia Park – 10:46.52
Steeplechase – No. 7 – Raini Mayo – 10:48.36
Up Next
Liberty will wrap up its weekend of competition at the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational on Saturday at the University of Lynchburg. The Flames' first event of the day (men's hammer) will begin at 9 a.m., and the meet will air on FloTrack.
Katrina Schlenker (10:10.54), Sophia Park (10:46.52) and Raini Mayo (10:48.36) accounted for the steeplechase bests, just before Ryann Aycock (16:51.35) joined the 5K's sub-17:00 club for the first time, near her hometown.
The 2025 CUSA women's steeplechase runner-up, Schlenker improved upon her previous best by five seconds. She now trails only Calli Doan in program history and should be heading back to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet for the second year in a row.
Park lopped a dozen seconds off her steeplechase best, joining the Lady Flames' all-time top 10 list at No. 6. Meanwhile, Liberty freshman record holder Mayo's first steeplechase as a sophomore ranks her No. 7 in program history.
Hailing from nearby Cary, N.C., Aycock battled with Georgia Tech's Hannah Schemmel for the victory in her heat of the women's 5K. Aycock ended up second in the section with a 16:51.35 effort that sliced 11 seconds off her previous best. Aycock just missed joining the Lady Flames' top 10 list, as Anna Hostetler currently sits at No. 10 with a 16:51.21 from the 2022 season.
Jessica Palisca paced Liberty's quartet of women's 1,500 competitors in 4:25.30. The senior narrowly missed her personal best of 4:25.04 and ran four seconds faster than she had at the 2025 Raleigh Relays.
Kate Loescher (4:33.88) was the fastest of the Lady Flames' three freshmen to contest the 1,500 Friday afternoon.
Following a lightning delay, Isabela Ross led Liberty with a 36:04.90 10K in the night's final race, ending just after midnight.
New Women's NCAA Division I East First Rounds Qualifiers
Katrina Schlenker – Steeplechase – 10:10.54
Updates to Liberty's All-Time Women's Top 10 List
Steeplechase – No. 2 – Katrina Schlenker – 10:10.54
Steeplechase – No. 6 – Sophia Park – 10:46.52
Steeplechase – No. 7 – Raini Mayo – 10:48.36
Up Next
Liberty will wrap up its weekend of competition at the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational on Saturday at the University of Lynchburg. The Flames' first event of the day (men's hammer) will begin at 9 a.m., and the meet will air on FloTrack.
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