MOSCOW, Idaho – Three Vandals claimed first at the Oregon State High Performance, as Idaho moved up in the Big Sky rankings on the Vandals’ final meet weekend of the 2025 outdoor regular season. 

“It was another successful weekend for our crews as we closed out the regular season in Oregon and Arizona,” Director of Track and Field Tracy Hellman said. “At Oregon State, the steeplers all set personal bests and improved their standing in the NCAA West Regional.”

Katja Pattis grabbed the top spot in the women’s 3K steeplechase with a career-best 10:04.33, the fifth-best time in the Big Sky and the second fastest in Idaho history. Constanze Paoli followed in third, as the sophomore also set a career-best in the event, a 10:18.09. Paoli now finds herself in the seventh spot in the Big Sky rankings. Pattis and Paoli now look to be set to compete in the NCAA West Regional later this month. Pattis’ time places her 18th on the qualifying list, as Paoli holds the 37th position. The top 48 in each event will clinch a spot in the West Regional held in College Station, Texas, at the end of May.  Abigail Thomas also set a personal best on Friday, a 10:43.88 mark that places her 12th in the conference. 

The Vandals swept the shot put titles in Corvallis, with Noah Culbertson and Mia Sylvester each on the top step of the podium. Culbertson’s 17.41-meter throw is his longest of 2025 and the fifth longest in the Big Sky this season. Sylvester also placed third in the discus after a throw of 43.51 meters, her longest since April of 2023. Additionally, the junior set a season-best in the hammer throw and is now one of only two athletes in the conference to hold a top-15 spot in the women’s hammer, discus, and shot put.

At the Desert Heat Classic, Jana Willems tied her career-best in the 100, improving on her previous season best by nearly two tenths. Blossom Omogor set an outdoor career best in the 400, racing to a time of 54.81, less than a tenth off the 25-year-old school record. 

Three more Vandals found their way into the Big Sky top six in the high jump, as Dante Cox jumped over 2 meters for the first time in his outdoor career to finish eighth in Tucson. On the women’s side, Annika Jozin set her career best at 1.74 meters, and freshman Cami Cvitkovic leaped to 1.69 meters. Jozin is just the 12th Vandal woman to jump over the 1.70-meter mark.

Rhyan Madden and Lara Holzhauer both ran career-bests in the 400-meter hurdles, with both claiming top-11 spots in the Big Sky. They both finished just behind Franziska Stoehr, who’s season-best time of 1:00.29 is less than half a second off her career-best of 59.86, the fifth-fastest 400-meter hurdles time in school history. Stoehr now holds the sixth fastest time in the conference this season.  

“Our jumpers and 400 hurdlers had nice improvements in their respective events and continue to improve their standing for Big Sky championships,” Hellman said. “We now turn our attention to the Big Sky championships and are motivated to hit our best physical and mental performance in Sacramento in 2 weeks.”

Idaho will take a week off before traveling to Sacramento, California, for the 2025 Big Sky Outdoor Championships beginning on May 14.  

Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho Track and Field by following the team on Instagram, @IdahoTrack.

NAPERVILLE – The Carthage women’s track & field team competed on Saturday on the second and final day of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Outdoor Track & Field Championships at North Central College. Throws led the way, placing five individuals in the shot put, as the Firebirds placed fifth as a team.

1. Elmhurst – 161.5
2. North Central (Ill.) – 145
3. Augustana (Ill.) – 114
4. Illinois Wesleyan – 112.5
5. Carthage – 89.5
6. Wheaton (Ill.) – 75
7. Carroll (Wis.) – 42
8. North Park – 40.5
9. Millikin – 39

SPRINTS

The 4x100m relay consisting of Anna Kegel, Sarah Kerfin, Mandy Nelson, and Caitlyn Hodgins placed eighth with a time of 49.60. 

Julie Heinrichs placed eighth in the 400m with a time of 1:03.31.*

Tara Schaalma placed sixth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:06.92.*

The 4x400m relay consisting of Nelson, Julie Heinrichs, Noelle Marsh, and Schaalma in a time of 4:03.71.

DISTANCE

Kylie Smith placed second in the 5000m with a time of 17:56.51.*

JUMPS

Teagan Johnston placed fourth in the high jump with a height of 1.55m.*

Abbey Calhoun placed fourth in the triple jump with a mark of 11.39m.*

THROWS

Five Firebirds placed third through seventh in the shot put contributing 20 points to the team score. Mikayla Wright was third with a mark of 13.85m.* Alexis Mattox was close behind in fourth with a mark of 13.52m* and Lillian Townsend threw a personal best mark of 13.09 for fifth.* Madison Payne and Jackie Tuzil were sixth and seventh with marks of 12.80m and 12.23m respectively.*

Three Firebirds scored in the discus throw with Nicole Tarpley leading the way with a throw of 45.46m in third place.* Tuzil placed fourth with a mark of 44.28m.* Townsend placed fifth with a personal best throw of 41.03m.* 

MULTI

Johnston placed sixth in the heptathlon with 3809 points.*

* Performance earned All-CCIW honors

“As a team we were not happy with the team place/outcome of the CCIW Championships”, said head coach Stephanie Domin. “However, we did have many All CCIW performances, lifetime best, and possibly NCAA qualification marks. This meet is always bitter sweet because a part of our family will graduate and move on to the next milestone in their life. Our senior class is a talented class that we will certainly miss, but I am excited to see them be just as successful in their next journey. They all have exciting experiences and memories ahead of them. “

As the CCIW Outdoor Championships have concluded, the Firebirds look forward to qualifying for Nationals May 22-24. Four Firebirds have a strong chance at qualifying in their respective events. 

Wright is currently ranked 18th in the shot put with a mark of 13.85 meters.

In the discus throw, Tarpley is ranked 12th with a mark of 45.61 meters.

Two Firebirds are ranked in the hammer throw. Mattox and Tarpley are ranked 11th and 15th with marks of 53.84 meters and 53.48m.

Women’s track & field will be back in action Friday, May 9, at the Penultimate Qualifier hosted by Augustana (Ill.). For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — North Park Track & Field competed at the 2025 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Outdoor Championships on Friday and Saturday, sending six Vikings to the podium across seven events. The NPU Women were 8th of 9 teams (40.5pts) while the Men were 7th of 9 (38pts).

WOMEN’S TOP PERFORMERS

Thea Ring – Heptathlon Champion

Ring had no issues becoming the champion of the Heptathlon once more, boasting the largest point margin (+500) between any of the top 10 finishers with a 4,825 – a new Championships record. Ring was the top finisher in the 100m Hurdles (14.78), 200m (25.12), and 800m (2:27.21). She was the only athlete in the Championships to finish first in more than one event.

Riana Hayes – 100m Runner Up

Hayes was the second-best sprinter in the 100m on Saturday afternoon, crossing the line at exactly 12 seconds to finish second in the race. She was also fifth in the 200m spring with a time of 24.48.

Julia Klein – Third Place in Pole Vault

Klein helped set the pace for the Vikings on day one, making her way into the top three of Pole Vaulters with a 3.38, nearly matching a personal record of 3.40. She tied with Millikin’s Haylee Yelle to earn the third spot on the podium.

MEN’S TOP PERFORMERS

Jereme Ombogo – 100m Champion, 200m Runner Up

Ombogo cruised in the 100m qualifier as Friday’s top finisher by nearly three-tenths of a second (10.49) while also earning the top spot in the 200m qualifier (21.45). On Saturday’s finals races, his 10.60 in the 100m placed him first in the event while his PR of 21.23 in the 200m gave him a Runner Up placing. Teammate James Boldware joined Ombogo in the 100m finals, placing seventh with a PR of 10.93.

Wesley McCloud – Third Place in High Jump

McCloud continues a blossoming career as a jumper for NPU Track & Field, placing third in the High Jump with a 1.91, just outside of his PR leap of 1.93. 

John Sassan – Third Place in Javelin

Sassan, a transfer this season that’s helped bolster the Viking Throwers, placed third in the Javelin with a throw of 54.79 – one of just four throwers at the event with a. mid 50’s or better throw. Teammate Hans Hoglund was just outside of the podium with a 51.48 to finish fifth.

Coal Ridge High School senior Brilee Jensen will officially become a Colorado Mesa University Maverick after graduation, committing to the track and field team during a signing ceremony in the school gym on April 23.

Surrounded by friends, family and coaches, Jensen reflected on her journey from a first-time track athlete as a freshman to a state champion thrower with college-level aspirations.

“I am really going to miss all my teammates,” Jensen said. “I loved getting to know them throughout the years and moving from one sport to another with them since middle school. Although I will miss all the girls and their silly nicknames, I am excited for a new start — getting to know new people, facing new challenges and hopefully expanding my throwing events at the college level.”

A tri-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and track, Jensen said Colorado Mesa University appealed to her not only for its successful athletics program but also for its nursing program, welcoming campus atmosphere and proximity to family.

She originally joined the track team just to stay active in the spring but quickly found a supportive environment that sparked a passion for throwing.

“I showed up to practice for a few weeks and really loved the community around me,” she said. “They all want me to become the best person I can be and keep me challenged at the same time.”

Although hesitant at first about her sprinting ability, Jensen quickly found her strength in the shot put and discus.

“I love both shot and disc in different ways,” she said. “I love the disc because it makes me feel fast and explosive, and I love the shot because it makes me feel strong and joyful. Discus is always a challenge, but I feel the most accomplished with shot.”

That sense of accomplishment culminated in 2023, when she won the Class 3A state title in shot put with a throw of 38 feet, 9.5 inches. She’s since surpassed that mark, finishing her senior season with a personal best of 40-1.5 in shot put and 115-9 in discus.

“I feel like my personal realization of success came when I won state as a sophomore,” Jensen said. “I love the competition and seeing myself improve little by little each week. Every week is a chance to see all the work I’ve been putting in come together.”

Jensen said her motivation is rooted in growth — through both wins and losses.

“I personally love feeling all the pain on the bad days,” she said. “I know the result will be great one day. It feels amazing seeing all your training come together and showing everyone what you’ve been training for. No one truly sees your bad days, but everyone will see the good days and how it came to be.”

Though known for her strength in the throwing ring, Jensen is no slouch on the track, running the 100-meter dash in 14.42 seconds.

“Coach Kirk thinks I’m a competitive sprinter,” she said, laughing. “But the running events have never been my forte.”

Before trading her Titans blue for CMU maroon, Jensen will compete one last time for Coal Ridge at the 2025 CHSAA Class 3A State Championship on Thursday, May 15, in Lakewood.

“I have felt so comforted within my own community,” she said. “Since signing, many people have come up to me with hugs and kind words. I feel like no matter what I do, this community will always be here supporting me through it all.”

“I just want to say thank you, not only to my coaches and teammates, but also to my family and friends for everything they do,” she added. “They are amazing role models, and without their support, I don’t know where I would be today.”

Columbus East and Columbus North will play each other in their softball sectional opener, but the city rivals would have to wait until the finals to meet in the baseball sectional and boys volleyball sectional.

The Bull Dog and Olympian softball teams will play in the first semifinal of the Class 4A East Central Sectional May 28. North beat East 12-4 April 21.

Franklin will play the East Central-Whiteland winner in the second semifinal. The sectional final will be May 29.

Hauser will play Oldenburg Academy in the first round of the Class A Rising Sun Sectional. The winner will meet Crothersville in the semifinals. Trinity Lutheran will play Milan in the first round, with the winner facing Rising Sun or Jac-Cen-Del in the semifinals.

Also in Class A, Edinburgh will play Knightstown in the first round at Tri, with the winner meeting North Decatur or Tri in the semifinals. South Decatur drew a first-round bye and will face Waldron or Morristown in the first semifinal.

Jennings County drew a bye and will play Lawrenceburg or Greensburg in the second semifinal of the 3A Batesville Sectional.

Brown County will host Brownstown Central in the first round of the 2A Brown County Sectional. The winner will meet South Ripley in the first semifinal.

The regional round is June 3, with semistates June 7. The state finals are June 13-14 at Purdue.

Baseball

Columbus East will host a 4A baseball sectional. Columbus North will play Whiteland in the first round May 28. The Olympians will meet Whiteland in the first semifinal, and the North-Whiteland winner will face East Central in the second semifinal May 30. The sectional final is June 2.

Hauser will play Jac-Cen-Del, and Trinity Lutheran will meet Rising Sun in the first round of the Class A Jac-Cen-Del Sectional. The winners will square off in the semifinals.

Also in Class A, Edinburgh will play Morristown in the first round of the Morristown Sectional. The winner will meet Knightstown or Waldron in the semifinals. South Decatur will face Tri in the first round, with the winner playing Southwestern (Shelby) or North Decatur in the semifinals.

Jennings County will host a 3A Sectional and will play Lawrenceburg in the first round. The winner will meet Franklin County or Batesville in the semifinals.

Brown County will play Austin in the first round of the 2A Switzerland County Sectional. The winner will face Southwestern (Hanover) or Brownstown Central in the semifinals.

The regional round is June 7, with semistates June 14. The state finals June 20-21 at Victory Field in Indianapolis.

Boys volleyball

This is the first year boys volleyball is being sanctioned by the IHSAA and East and North are the only local schools entered. The Bull Dogs will play Greenwood Christian Academy in the first round May 14, and East will face Whiteland in the first round May 15 in the Franklin Sectional.

The North-GCA winner will play Shelbyville in the first semifinal May 17. The East-Whiteland winner will meet the Greenwood-Franklin winner in the second semifinal May 17. The sectional final will be the evening of May 17.

The Franklin Sectional winner will advance to the May 24 Perry Meridian Regional. The state finals are May 31 at Purdue’s Mackey Arena.