ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS - Southwestern University Women's Track & Field senior Breanna Steele competed in the Augustana Midwest Twilight Qualifier for one last chance to make the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships. 

Steele entered the meet needing a miraculous effort as the NCAA cut line for the 3,000-Meter Steeplecae was under 10:46.00 in an incredibly fast national field. Steele's previous personal and school record was 11:11.98. The senior gave it everything she had in the tank on Wednesday night with another personal record of 11:01.96, cutting a full ten seconds off in her final race as a Pirate. Her final lap was a testament to her dedication and grit, cutting six seconds off her seventh lap, finishing with nothing left to give. 

The senior concluded her career as one the best Pirates to ever do it. She owns Outdoor records in the 800-Meter, 1,500-Meter, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase, and the 5,000-Meter events. Steele also owns records in the Indoor 800-Meter, Mile, and DMR events. In 2026, Steele garnered two SAA titles in the 1,500-Meter and the 3,000-Meter Steeplechase events. 

On Wednesday, Steele was also selected as Southwestern's Female Athlete of the Year at the end of the year Athletics banquet.