Iowa Western Claims Second Straight Indoor Title

March 10, 2025

via www.goreivers.com

LUBBOCK, Texas - For the second consecutive season, Iowa Western Women's Track & Field claimed the NJCAA D1 Indoor National Championship.

The Reivers were led by freshman Juliana Sakat, who claimed national titles in the 5000m, 3000m, 1000m, and mile events. She also contributed to a runner-up finish in the distance medley relay, scoring a grand total of 42 of the 114 points for Iowa Western, better than 45 other teams' final scores. Only Central Arizona (43), Odessa (63), Cloud County (84), New Mexico JC (86), and Barton (105) scored more than Sakat. "In nearly 20 years of collegiate coaching at different levels, I have never seen anything like what Juliana did," said Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Marc Bierbaum. "She was remarkable and a huge part of our team's success this weekend."

The Reivers edged out Barton Community College by just nine points down the home stretch on day two after leading the Cougars by 19 points after the first day of events. Iowa Western scored 21 early points early on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Mercy Honesty defended her indoor triple jump crown with a mark of 13.11m and Sakina Umar scored 5 points with a 4th place finish in the event. The women's 4x800m relay also scored a top-three finish to score 6 points, taking a 22-point lead into the final half of Saturday's events.

Barton would outscore the Reivers 39 to 29 in the final seven events, but Sakat's 1000m victory along with a 4th place finish by Wijdane Inzaline and Sarai Simpson's 5th place finish in the weight throw sealed the 9-point victory to give Iowa Western their 4th indoor national title in the past five years.

For Sakat, her 42 points scored is the most by an individual in Iowa Western history. Faith Linga Chepengat scored 37 in the 2021 Indoor Championships, and Hilda Olememoi scored 38 points in the 2022 NJCAA Outdoor Championships. Sakat has also shattered school records for the Mile, 3000m, and 5000m. Her time of 16:20.80 in the 5000m at the Washburn Open stands as the NJCAA record and is also the Ghanaian national record for the event.

"This was a total team effort this weekend. All event groups contributed and the ladies came together to achieve this," said Track & Field Head Coach David Burnett. "We are grateful to the administration for all the support they have given us and support staff for their part in helping our team be successful."

Men's Track & Field also finished on the podium, taking 3rd place as a team after entering Saturday in 4th place behind Odessa, New Mexico JC, and South Plains. Charmar Smith and Michael Francois scored 13 points in the 600m, Lebon Attoungbre, and Abagottee Opiew contributed 13 points in the triple jump and Pierre Carlier and Flynn Pumpa added 14 points in the 1000m to edge out Indian Hills by nine points for third place. Sophomore Yekini Bowen was a double-event All-American this weekend, finishing 5th in the weight throw at 17.34m and 6th in the shot put at 17.14m.

Together, 31 individuals and 16 relay members earned All-America honors. "This was the best finish for our men's and women's program since our staff took over three seasons ago," added Burnett. "Our student-athletes continue to raise the bar, and we have been in the top 5 every season indoor and outdoor, which we are proud of."

"It was the goal of our staff to bring home two trophies from the same meet," said Bierbaum. "We accomplished this goal and I could not be prouder of our athletes and staff."