McLean County Times

Sophomore Imani Ogunribido from Hanover Park, Illinois, achieved a significant milestone by winning the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Championship in the women's triple jump. This event took place on Saturday, May 24, in Geneva, Ohio. Ogunribido's performance was part of a successful outing for the Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field teams, which secured four podium finishes at the NCAA Championships.

Ogunribido began her competition with a school-record jump of 12.65 meters (41'6") on her first attempt. She then extended this record with her third jump to 12.67 meters (41'7"), placing her second heading into the finals. On her final attempt, she delivered an impressive 12.96-meter (42'6.25") jump, breaking the school record for the third time that day and securing the triple jump title. This achievement ranks as the third-best all-time in Division III history. Her All-American trophy was presented by head coach Amelia Marino.

Ogunribido is now Illinois Wesleyan's first-ever national champion in the triple jump and marks the 20th individual champion in the university's women's track and field program history.

In another highlight, junior Evan Lowder competed in the men's 400-meter final and finished sixth with a time of 47.21 seconds. This finish earned him his fourth All-American honor and his third podium appearance.

The Illinois Wesleyan women's team scored a total of 17 points, finishing 14th overall in team standings. Lowder contributed three points to place Illinois Wesleyan 58th in team scores for men. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology won the women's team title with 56 points, while the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse claimed victory in the men's category with 84 points.