The 5-foot-5 junior middle-distance and distance talent won the 800-meter run at the Brooks PR Invitational this past season. Sheppard’s time of 2:00.65 ranked No. 1 nationally among prep girls competitors in 2026 and No. 7 in prep history. She won the 800 and 1600 at the Non-Public A state meet in addition to winning gold in the 1600 at the Meet of Champions. Her top 1600 time of 4:28.77 at the Holmdel Twilight Series Night of 1600s also ranked No. 1 nationally and sits at No. 6 on the all-time list. A two-time New Jersey Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, she capped her spring by winning the 800 at the USATF Under-20 Championships with a time of 2:01.76, earning herself a berth in the Under-20 World Championships in August.
Sheppard has maintained an A average in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.
Sheppard is a founding member of Union Catholic’s Care Club, which serves individuals and families affected by natural disasters. She has volunteered locally with Operation Smile and as a youth track coach in addition to donating her time making holiday cards for cancer patients through the Student Movement Against Cancer network.
