GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Bethel Pilots finished day one of the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championship in a tie for seventh place on Thursday. 

Pilots Gabrielle Zeilenga and Sophia Sumer each represented Bethel in the pole vault event. Zeilenga showcased an impressive 4.05 mark, for an All-American title, and a tie for runner-up. 

Sumer tied for 20th with Kathryn Stewart of Siena Heights University (3.40m) after battling through a tough hamstring injury. Assistant Coach Andre Moodie shared that she, "...suffered an unfortunate hamstring strain in warmups, but battled anyways to make us so proud of the way she represented Bethel and Christ by putting it in his hands to get down the runway." 

After Gabrielle praised Jesus for the accomplishment, Head Coach Danny Wilkerson wrote that she, "...could not have picked a better day to demonstrate the gifts God has given her and what she has been working on all season." He continued, "So proud of her producing the results we knew she was capable of at the biggest meet of the year..." 

The Bethel Pilots will continue their national championship run tomorrow at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center at Celebration Pointe.

For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, check out bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or X by searching @bupilots or #TheRightWayToPlay.