Photo Courtesy/ALABAMA HUNTSVILE MARTINS FERRY grad Jacob Bishop competes in the 3000M steeplechase for Alabama Huntsville in a meet earlier this season. The senior will conclude his collegiate career at the NCAA Division II nationals this week in Michigan.

Sometimes, simply finding the right fit can go a long way in determining the level of success an athlete enjoys during his career.

For Martins Ferry graduate Jacob Bishop the third time – in trying to find that fit – was the charm.

Bishop, who originally signed to attend Ohio University before transferring to Wheeling Jesuit, found the best fit for his running career at the University of Alabama Huntsville.

“Deciding to transfer (to UAH) was the best choice I’ve made,” Bishop said during a recent phone interview. “It’s been a really great experience in terms of the school, running and I’ve built some friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Bishop, who was a four-time All-Ohioan between track and cross country during his prep days with the Purple Riders, will put a cap on his collegiate career this week when he competes in the 3000M steeplechase at NCAA Division II Outdoor Nationals at Grand Valley State in Michigan.

“The goal the entire season was to get to the national meet,” Bishop said. “I will definitely be soaking up the moment since it’s my final time running in a UAH jersey, but at the same time, I want to be an All-American and to do that I have to get to the final.”

Bishop had a strong feeling he was going to be invited to the national meet since he ran a 8:58 in his speciality at the Raleigh Relays. He dropped that time in a last chance meet to 8:57.57 and enters the meet as the 19th seed of 19 competitors.

Bishop is battling an injury in his abdomen, but there was no chance of him bypassing an opportunity to compete. Whether it was the conference meet or a last-chance meet last weekend, Bishop remained focused on the goal of getting to nationals.

“I ran a personal record (time) in the last-chance meet, and I believe I can run faster,” Bishop said. “I am dealing with the injury as best as possible, and I’ve taken it easy in practice, but I can race with it.”

In terms of what his main event would be, Bishop arrived in Huntsville not knowing where he may fit into the lineup. However, he had always been intrigued by the steeplechase despite his less than ideal height for the event.

“I was struggling in terms of adjusting to the training when I got here and my sophomore year I tried the steeple and fell in love with it,” Bishop said. “It was the most fun I had in a collegiate race.”

Last season, with a much better knowledge of training and approach for the event, Bishop really took off in the event. Continually running a personal-best time, Bishop hit the Division II provisional qualifying mark, but due to COVID issues, the size of the field at the championship meet was greatly reduced, leaving Bishop, who had the 26th best time in the country, out of the mix.

Using that as a motivator, Bishop had a strong summer of training and carried that into cross country where he was consistently the third runner on the team and helped his team advance to the national meet.

“I carried that success into track,” Bishop admitted. “I had a pretty good indoor season where I broke the school record for the indoor mile and then I’ve been focused on the steeple since the outdoor season started.”

Though this will be Bishop’s last race, he hopes to remain active in the sport in a different capacity, however.

Bishop, who graduated recently with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, wants to get into the coaching ranks.

“I’m applying for jobs and I’m also being (considered) for an assistant coaching job (at UAH),” Bishop said. “I am working to become a USATF certified coach, so I am starting to get more coaching experience.”

Along with Bishop, Shenandoah graduate Shakur Payton – a true freshman at Findlay – will also be competing in the high jump at the national meet. He was the state runnerup in the event last season and has been impressive this spring, coming in with a mark of 2.12 meters (6-9).

Both Wheeling University and West Liberty are sending competitors. The Cardinals will be represented by Andrew Taylor (high jump) and Jabez Reeves (100M).

West Liberty’s entrant is Kelsi Hulit (discus).