Iowa Western Women's Track & Field Claim Second Consecutive Title
PITTSBURG, Kan. – After winning the program's first team national title last season, Iowa Western Women's Track & Field returned as the 2022 NJCAA National Indoor Track & Field Champions.
The Reivers dominated the field, posting a team score of 160 points, 62 points clear of the field, and were the only school to break the 100-point mark.
"Today was amazing for our program," said fourth-year Head Coach, Doug Marshall. "To win a national championship is tough, but to go back-to-back solidifies the team and the culture we have built here."
The women opened up the first day of the championships, posting 58 points. Freshman Hilda Chebet opened up the scoring, winning the 5000 meters by nearly 12 seconds. Freshman Antonia Sealy followed that up with a school record of 3,678 points to win the pentathlon. Chebet and Mercy Biwott finished day one going 1-2 in the women's 3000 meters. In her first-ever NJCAA championship event, Chebet scored 38 of the teams 160 overall points.
Day two saw another 1-2 finish, freshman Miracle Ailes (1.80m) and sophomore Alliyah McNeil (1.75m) earned the top two spots in the women's high jump. Chebet claimed her third individual title of the championships, winning the Mile Run with a time of 5:02.33.
Sophomore Nickisha Pryce defended her indoor 400 meter title with a time of 53.58. Pryce was also part of the title defense in the 4x400 meter relay along with sophomores Alliyah McNeil, Dyandra Gray, and freshman Daniella Deer. It was the 4x400 relay that clinched the title last season for the Reivers.
Sophomore Victory George rounded out the individual titles, winning the triple jump with a distance of 12.86 meters.
The Reiver Men's Track & Field team earned their highest finish in program history, claiming third place with 51 points. Freshman Nemoy Cockett earned a runner-up finish in the men's weight throw, posting a score of 18.43. Nicholas Kirotich also earned runner-up in the men's 5000 meters.
"For the men to finish third and bring home the first trophy and highest team finish makes me extremely proud," added Marshall. "Our student-athletes have earned everything through the hard work and sacrifice they put in every day. This was a full team effort and every event group contributed this weekend. Now we will get back to work and get ready for the outdoor season."
Iowa Western scored in 36 total events, 24 on the women's side and 12 on the men's side. Of the 36 events, 21 were top-three finishes. The Reivers ended the weekend with eight national champions and five runner-ups.