Another time and Emily Sheppard's name would be prominent in University of Hawai'i track and field history. She won 11 medals and scored 111 points at the WAC Championships, held the school's high jump and triple jump records and is an all-academic selection two classes short of graduation.

Much to Sheppard's apparent relief, her prominence has been overshadowed by a finely tuned "Germanator" and an all-conference volleyball player prone to leaping tall barriers in her "offseason."

Sheppard, a senior from Vancouver, Canada, is flanked by All-America multi-events star Annett Wichmann and all-world high jumper Amber Kaufman on the cover of the Rainbow Wahine media guide. Her greatest worry, until the 11th-best jump in college this year was rewarded with an at-large invitation into this week's NCAA Championships, was that she wouldn't justify her presence in the picture.

No one else has a problem with it. For the second straight year, Sheppard, Kaufman, a junior from San Jose, Calif., and Wichmann, a senior from Germany, will represent Hawai'i at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. It begins tomorrow in Arkansas. A year ago the trio all finished top six to take the Rainbows to 25th nationally.

Sheppard is the high jumper who won bronze in the WAC heptathlon, and inspires Kaufman to greater heights while keeping her grounded. When she found herself at the NCAA Indoor Championships a few months ago without Sheppard, one of her closest friends, Kaufman panicked.

"She asked, 'How do I warm up?' " recalled UH coach Carmyn James. "She had never had to actually think about it. She just tagged along with Emily. Amber recognized that and actually said 'Where is she? I need Emily.' They are good for each other."

In her newfound fascination with multi-events, Sheppard has also found an ally in Wichmann, the seven-time WAC champion who is the only athlete in UH history to score more points at the conference championships. Sheppard, who just set the school record in triple jump, beats the driven German in sprints, her weakest area.

She is a source of inspiration to both teammates, and they provide her with the same. Sheppard strives for Wichmann's versatility, focus and constantly cheery personality, along with Kaufman's elite leaps.

"I have beat her," Sheppard said of Kaufman. "She asked me when was the last time and I told her. She did get hit by a car around then, but I'm still taking it."

She is concluding her collegiate career in a happy space between Wichmann's relentless excellence and Kaufman's astonishing ability. At her final collegiate meet, Wichmann is a few personal bests from representing Germany at the World University Games. Kaufman's school-record jump of 6 foot 4 at the WAC Championships was the country's best leap for a day — until Texas volleyball player Destinee Hooker beat her by less than an inch.

"Amber can clear 2 meters (6-5-plus) ...," James said. "What I really admire about her is just her determination and self-confidence in pressure situations. Other athletes might buckle under that kind of scrutiny and high pressure, but Amber thrives on that type of stuff. Her performance elevates."

Sheppard also admires her friend's ferociousness, but is fine in her unique space. She is comfortable saying she is not competitive, instead focusing on personal bests and helping teammates. It is an interesting outlook at the highest level of collegiate track, but it suits Sheppard's personality perfectly. She sees her future in multi-events, with Canada low on world-class heptathletes and willingness to fund training.

This week, James believes Sheppard is capable of jumping "in the 1.90s (meters)," if she can push her takeoff closer to the bar.

Sheppard and Kaufman have worked out a way to get the best from each other at big meets, and James will leave them to their own devices this week. "Emily's presence helps Amber," James said, "and Amber definitely helps Emily."