McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University track and field teams have secured five spots in the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships. The event will take place in Geneva, Ohio, from May 22 to May 24. The official list of qualifiers was released on Friday night.

Junior Evan Lowder, from Bloomington, Illinois, has qualified for his fourth national championship in the men's 400-meter race. He achieved a record-setting time of 46.55 seconds at the Uncaged Eagle Open on May 9, making him the first Titan to run the 400m in under 47 seconds. His time ranks tied for 25th all-time in Division III, and he enters as the No. 5 seed.

Sophomore Imani Ogunribido from Hanover Park, Illinois, also makes her fourth appearance at a national championship with a school and meet record mark in the triple jump during the CCIW Championships on May 3. Her jump of 12.57m ranks fourth heading into the championships.

Senior Carlyssa King from Decatur, Illinois, qualified for her third nationals meet with a school record in the women's hammer throw earlier this season. Her throw of 53.94m ranks her 11th in the field.

Senior Lauren Huber from Lombard, Illinois, qualifies for her first national championship as she holds the No. 11 seed in the women's heptathlon after scoring 4821 points at the Gibson Invitational on April 17.

Junior Adriana Crabtree from Normal, Illinois, returns to nationals for the first time since competing in the women's mile at the Indoor Championships in 2024. She earned her spot in the steeplechase with a time of 10:45.97 at the CCIW Championships on May 3.

The championships will begin with Huber's participation in the heptathlon starting Thursday at 12:30 p.m., continuing into Friday morning. The steeplechase prelims are scheduled for Thursday evening, while Lowder's event prelims will occur Friday afternoon. Saturday's events include King's hammer throw and Ogunribido's triple jump before concluding with Lowder's finals race.