The University of Akron Athletics
Thursday, May 15
Athens, Ohio
All Day
University of Akron
vs
MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Akron Primed for MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships
May 14 | Track & Field
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP: MEET INFORMATION | LIVE STATS
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's and women's track and field team will join the rest of their Mid-American Conference members this Thursday through Saturday, May 15-17, to compete at the league's Outdoor Championships, as Ohio hosts the three-day event at Goldsberry Track in Athens, Ohio.
UP NEXT: The Zips will compete at the league's Outdoor Championships, as Ohio hosts the three-day event at the Goldsberry Track in Athens, Ohio.
In all, the championship meet will feature men's teams from Akron, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Kent State and Miami, while all 12 league members will be chasing the title on the women's side.
Live stats of the MAC Championships will be available at GoZips.com.
The Zips' men squad will be looking to capture its 11th outdoor league championship, having won 11 of the last 18 league titles overall, after triumphing in back-to-back campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
On the women's side, the Zips are seeking their 11th overall outdoor championship after capturing the crown in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Akron under the leadership of third-year head coach Kendra Reimer-Gonzales, the three-time MAC Men's Coach of the Year, will battle for team titles on both the men's and women's sides again this year.
MAC MEET SCHEDULE: The MAC Championships will begin on Thursday, May 15 at the Goldsberry Track with the start of the multis with the 100-meter hurdles in the women's heptathlon and the 100 meters as part of the men's decathlon at 10:00 a.m. and 10:25 a.m., respectively. The men's hammer will kick off the first of five field event championships on the day at 11 a.m., while running events start with the women's 1,500 meters at 5 p.m., before the women's 10,000 meters culminates the opening day at 7:10 p.m.
Second-day action begins on Friday, May 16 with the conclusion of the men's decathlon at 11 a.m. and the women's heptathlon at 11:30 a.m. Field events start with the men's shot put at 1 p.m., while running events will be bookended by the men's 110-meter hurdles meters at 4:10 p.m. and the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase at 6:55 p.m.
The final day of the championship on Saturday, May 17 kicks off with men's discus and high jump and women's triple jump at 12:30 p.m. The first running event is slated to begin at 1 p.m. with the men's 4x100 relay, before the meet wraps up with the women's 4x400 relay at 5 p.m. For a complete schedule of events, log on to MAC-Sports.com. Live results (click here) will be available throughout the meet.
Scoring in the meet will be on a 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for individual events and relays for the women and 10-8-6-4-2-1 for the men.
DEFENDING THEIR TITLES: The Zips have three student-athletes seeking to repeat as individual outdoor conference champions this season.
Redshirt junior Owen Wendl (Medina, Ohio) earned his first league title in the men's discus with a then career-best mark of 180-9 (55.11m).
Senior Joy Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) earned titles in the women's 200 and 400 meters, respectively, crossing the line in 23.42 and 53.48. Her effort in the women's 400 meters broke her own school record in the event.
Redshirt senior Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) eclipsed 17-5 (5.31m) to take the crown in the men's pole vault.
Sophomore Braylyn Farrington (Alabaster, Ala.) and junior Tysean Baronette (Middletown, Dela.) also return from the winning men's 4x400 relay team that crossed the line first in 3:09.32.
Additionally, seven Zips earned Second-Team All-MAC accolades. Baronette placed second in the 100 meters in 10.26, sophomore Mary Munga (Nyandarua, Kenya) finished second in the women's 800 meters in 2:10.37, junior Josiah Cox (New Franklin, Ohio) earned a runner-up finish in the men's shot put (57-0.75/17.39m), while senior Cassidy Allen (Lakewood, N.Y.) placed second in the women's pole vault (12-7.50/3.85m). The men's 4x100 relay team returns sophomore AJ Jordan (Columbus, Ohio), Baronette and sophomore Andrew Styles (Freeport, Bahamas), while the women's 4x00 welcomes back junior Vanessa Horn (Ludwigsfelde, Germany) and Nwokike.
TOP TIMES IN THE MAC: The Zips have registered nine overall top performances in the Mid-American Conference during the outdoor campaign.
Outdoor
ALL–MAC PERFORMERS (First–Team All–MAC/Second–Team All–MAC): Below is a listed on first– and second–place performances at the Mid–American Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the current members of the Zips' squad.
Hunter Garretson (8/0) – Indoor: Pole Vault – 2025 (1st-17-9/5.41m), 2024 (1st-18-2/5.53m), 2023 (1st-17-1/5.21m), 2022 (1st-17–4.50/5.30m), 2021 (1st-17–9.75/5.43m); Outdoor: Pole Vault: 2024 (1st-17-5/5.31m), 2023 (1st-17-5.50/5.32m), 2022 (1st-17–1.75/5.23m);
Joy Nwokike (4/1) – Indoor: 60 Meters – 2025 (1st-7.38); 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:44.85); Outdoor: 400 Meters – 2024 (1st-53.48); 200 Meters – 2024 (1st-23.42); 4x400 Relay – 2024 (2nd-3:39.10)
AJ Jordan (2/3) – Indoor: 60 Meters – 2024 (2nd-6.83); 200 Meters – 2024 (2nd-21.81); 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:18.33), 2024 (1st-3:14.86); Outdoor: 4x100 Relay – 2024 (2nd-40.06)
Cassidy Allen (2/1) – Indoor: Pole Vault – 2025 (1st-13-10/4.22m), 2024 (1st-12-10/3.90m); Outdoor: Pole Vault – 2024 (2nd-12-7.50/3.85m)
Andrew Styles (2/1) – Indoor: 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:18.33), 2024 (1st-3:14.86); Outdoor: 4x100 Relay – 2024 (2nd-40.06)
Braylyn Farrington (2/0) – Indoor: 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:18.33); Outdoor: 4x400 Relay – 2024 (1st-3:09.32)
Moses Lekokei (2/0) – Indoor: 3,000 Meters – 2025 (1st-8:11.77); 5,000 Meters – 2025 (1st-14:29.44)
Rukia Omulisia (2/0) – Indoor: 60-Meter Hurdles – (1st-8.38); 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:44.85)
Owen Wendl (2/0) – Indoor: Shot Put – 2025 (1st-58-9.50/17.92m); Outdoor: Discus – 2024 (1st-180-9/55.11m)
Tysean Baronette (1/2) – Outdoor: 100 Meters – 2024 (2nd-10.26); 4x100 Relay – 2024 (2nd-40.06); 4x400 Relay – 2024 (1st-3:09.32)
Vanessa Horn (1/2) – Indoor: 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:44.85); 400 Meters – 2024 (2nd-55.52); Outdoor: 4x400 Relay – 2024 (2nd-3:39.10)
Eve Clark (1/0) – Indoor: 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:44.85)
Brynn Rychlik (1/0) – Outdoor: Pole Vault – 2023 (1st-13-8/3.86m)
Josiah Co (0/3) – Indoor: Shot Put: 2023 (2nd-54-5.25/16.59m); Outdoor: Shot Put: 2024 (2nd-57-0.75/17.39m), 2023 (2nd-56-5.25/17.20m)
Bismack Kipchirchir (0/2) – Indoor: Mile – 2025 (2nd-4:12.45); 3,000 Meters – 2025 (2nd-8:11.78); 5,000 Meters – 2025 (2nd-14:29.74)
Adaeze Nwokike (0/2) – Outdoor: 4x100 Relay: 2022 (2nd-45.76); 400-Meter Hurdles: 2023 (2nd-59.91)
Brook Boes (0/1) – Indoor: Weight Throw – (2nd-64-0.50/19.52m)
Keegan Digby (0/1) – Indoor: Shot Put – 2025 (2nd-58-4/17.78m)
Mary Munga (0/1) – Outdoor: 800 Meters – 2024 (2nd-2:10.37)
ZIPS HONOR 15 SENIORS: Akron honored its 15 graduating seniors during the Northeast Ohio Open on May 9. Among those being recognized are Kayla Allen (Lakewood, N.Y.), Heriberto Alvarez (Oswego, Ill.), Nighyah Carthen (Twinsburg, Ohio), Keegan Digby (Bowling Green, Ohio), Hunter Garretson, Victory George (Norman, Okla.), Jacob Glavickas (Orwell, Ohio), Kaira Granger (Bedford, Ohio), Grace Henderson (Rostraver Township, Pa.), Danielle Honaker (Ashland, Ohio), Hannah Kerr (Chillicothe, Ohio), Adaeze Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria), Joy Nwokike, Brynn Rychlik (Marysville, Ohio), Halle Sebest (Poland, Ohio).
NATIONAL RANKINGS: The University of Akron track and field teams have garnered recognition for their efforts during the 2025 outdoor season as the Zips are rated among the Top 30 in the Event Squad rankings for five events released on May 13, 2025, as part of the United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index.
Akron is rated 10th nationally in the men's pole vault, 15th in the men's shot put and in the women's hammer, 16th in the men's hammer and 23rd in the women's discus.
ZIPS RANK AMONG NATION'S BEST IN 2025 TFRRS RANKINGS: Akron have three individual student-athletes ranked in the Top 50 nationally by the Track and Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS) for the 2025 outdoor campaign as freshman Bismack Kipchirchir (Eldama Ravine, Kenya) is rated sixth in the nation in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase (8:27.51).
Additionally, Hunter Garretson is eighth in the nation in the men's pole vault (18-1.75/5.53m).
AKRON TRIO EARNS MAC ATHLETE OF THE WEEK ACCOLADES:
Akron sophomore Rennie Gittens, Jr., along with seniors Lane Graham (Killbuck, Ohio) and Joy Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) were recognized by the Mid-American Conference as its Track and Field Athletes of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday (May 13).
Gittens, Jr., was tabbed as the MAC Men's Track Athlete of the Week, while Graham pulled in MAC Field Athlete of the Week honors. Nwokike was selected as the MAC Women's Track Athlete of the Week.
Gittens, Jr., won the men's 100 meters at the Northeast Ohio Open with a new personal-best of 10.37. He now holds the second-fastest time in the MAC this season.
Graham threw a career-best 209-0 (63.71m) to win the hammer at the Northeast Ohio Open. His throw ranks first in the MAC and fourth in Akron outdoor program history.
Nwokike ran a blazing MAC-leading 11.39 to win the women's 100 meters at the Northeast Ohio Open, now ranking 69th in the country.
A WEEK AGO:
Akron registered 17 victories as part of 46 overall top three performances at the Northeast Ohio Open hosted by the Zips at the Lee R. Jackson Track and Field Complex on Thursday and Friday (May 8-9).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Lane Graham posted a career-best mark of 209-0 (63.71m) to triumph in the men's hammer with the fourth-best effort in outdoor program history.
• Redshirt junior Gabrielle Griffiths (Fort Worth, Texas) won the women's hammer with a career-best mark of 193-5 (58.97m), the fifth-best performance in outdoor program history. She also captured the women's javelin with a mark of 145-6 (44.35m).
• Sophomore Christopher Vance (Parma, Ohio) finished second in the men's hammer with a career-best throw of 207-5 (63.22m), the fifth-best mark in outdoor program history.
• Hunter Garretson was the top collegiate finisher in the men's pole vault eclipsing 18-0 (5.49m).
• Senior Grace Henderson (Rostraver Township, Pa.) took first with a PR time of 4:45.77 in the women's 1,500 meters.
• Sophomore Titus Kirui (Eldoret, Kenya) crossed the line first in the men's 1,500 meters in a career-best time of 3:48.37.
• Freshman Rukia Omulisia (Nairobi, Kenya) placed first in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a career-best time of 13.57, the third-fastest time in outdoor program history.
• The men's 4x100 relay squad of Rennie Gittens, Jr., AJ Jordan, junior Kemari Robinson (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Andrew Styles finished first with a time of 40.83.
• Gittens, Jr. finished first in the men's 100 meters with a time of 10.37.
• Braylyn Farrington took the top time in the men's 400 meters with a career-best time of 48.10.
• Joy Nwokike posted the fastest time in the women's 100 meters with a career-best time of 11.39.
• Senior Adaeze Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) won the women's 400-meter hurdles in a time of 65.45.
• Kaira Granger led the way in the women's 200 meters with a time of 24.93.
• Halle Sebest ran the top time of 18:30.01 in the women's 5,000 meters.
• Cassidy Allen posted the top mark in the women's pole vault with a mark of 13-3.5 (4.05m).
• Senior Ruth Webb (Akron, Ohio) led the way in the women's high jump with a career-best mark of 5-7.75 (1.72m).
• Freshman El Hadji Abdourahmane Mbodji (Lucie Leclerc, Senegal) won the men's triple jump with a mark of 44-2.50 (13.47m).
USTFCCCA HONORS GARRETSON AS GREAT LAKES REGIONAL FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
Hunter Garretson was honored by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as the Great Lakes Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year, the USTFCCCA announced on March 20.
Garretson becomes the fourth Zip to collect All-Regional honors since 2007 joining Olympians Clayton Murphy (2016-Track) and Shawn Barber (2015-Field) and Cadeau Kelley (2008-Field). He previously captured the honor during the 2023 outdoor campaign.
GARRETSON EARNS FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA ACCOLADES:
Hunter Garretson captured First-Team All-America accolades on the strength of a third-place performance at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 14 in Virginia Beach, Va.
A five-time All-America honoree, Garretson captured First-Team laurels for the third time in his decorated career eclipsing 18-6.75 (5.66m).
After passing at the opening height of 17-7 (5.36m), Garretson cleared the next two bars of 17-11 (5.46m) and 18-3 (5.56m) on his initial runs at the heights.
He needed two attempts to clear 18-4.75 (5.61m) before besting the bar at 18-6.75 (5.66m) on his final attempt.
After missing his initial attempt at 18-8.34 (5.71m), Garretson passed his next two jumps. He was unable to clear the bar at 18-10.75 (5.76m) on each of his attempts and finished with a third-place effort.
GARRETSON NAMED ELITE 90 WINNER: Hunter Garretson was the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2025 NCAA Division Men's Track and Field Indoor Championship.
Garretson, who is majoring in mathematics, boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA, was presented with the award during a presentation on March 14.
Winning the honor for the third consecutive season, Garretson became the first three-time recipient of the award in Division I track and field and ninth overall three-time honoree across all sports in Division I.
The honor was the fourth time a Zip has garnered the distinguished honor joining Tyler Sanda, who won the award as a member of the Akron men's soccer team in 2015.
AKRON GARNERS TRIO OF MAC INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD SPECIALTY AWARDS:
Hunter Garretson and Bismack Kipchirchir were honored by the Mid-American Conference as its 2025 Indoor Track and Field Men's Most Outstanding Track and Field Performers of the Year, the league unveiled on March 7.
Additionally, Akron assistant coach Randy Overby was tabbed by his peers as the Men's Assistant Coach of the Year.
Garretson earned his fifth consecutive MAC indoor pole title and eighth overall league championship besting the field at the MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1 with a mark of 17-9 (5.41m). His five indoor conference pole vault titles and eight overall combined (indoor/outdoor) pole vault championships are the most in league history.
Kipchirchir turned in a stellar effort at the MAC Championships garnering Most Valuable Performer and Freshman of the Year accolades with runner-up finishes in the men's mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meters.
He opened his championship run crossing the line second in the men's 5,000 meters in a career-best time of 14:29.74, the fifth-fastest time in indoor program history. In final-day competition, Kipchirchir placed second in the men's mile in a time of 4:12.45 before capturing Second-Team All-MAC honors in the men's 3,000 meters in a time of 8:11.78.
The Akron's men's team under Overby's tutelage dominated the sprints and hurdles at the MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships (Feb. 28-March 1) scoring 54 points en route to securing its ninth overall indoor league title and first since 2020.
The team produced three All-MAC performances, with redshirt senior Jimmy Harkelroad (Huron, Ohio) earning First-Team honors in the 400M and 4x400 relay alongside sophomore Braylyn Farrington (Alabaster, Ala.), AJ Jordan and Andrew Styles, while also receiving Second-Team recognition in the 200M.
The 4x400M relay squad, consisting of Farrington, Harkelroad, Jordan, and Styles, claimed victory, as did Harkelroad in the 400M. Additionally, Jordan secured third-place finishes in the 60M and 200M, while junior Tysean Baronette (Middletown, Del.) (4th – 200M), Rennie Gittens, Jr. (4th – 60M), Farrington (4th – 400M), and Styles (5th – 400M) delivered strong performances. Under expert coaching, the team has recorded the MAC's top times this season in the 400M and 4x400 relay, along with the second-best marks in the 60M and 200M.
AKRON CROSS COUNTRY EARNS USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC ACCOLADES: The Akron cross country team under the leadership of Zips' director of track and field/cross country Kendra Reimer-Gonzales and cross country head coach Evans Kiptoo garnered recognition for the squad's efforts in the classroom as the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) tabbed Akron a Division I All-Academic team for the 2024 campaign.
The Akron men's squad was honored for recording a 3.335 GPA, while the women's team garnered recognition for its work in the classroom for the 11th straight year with a 3.356 cumulative GPA.
Overall, 209 women's teams and 183 men's teams earned All-Academic team honors.
CRACKING THE ALL-TIME TOP FIVE PERFORMANCES: The Zips added 21 overall top five performances and four school records in program history to the record book during the 2025 outdoor campaign.
CRACKING THE ALL-TIME TOP FIVE PERFORMANCES: The Zips added 28 overall top five performances and five school records in program history to the record book during the 2025 indoor campaign.
TOP MARKS:
Akron Men
Click Here
Akron Women
Click Here
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's and women's track and field team will join the rest of their Mid-American Conference members this Thursday through Saturday, May 15-17, to compete at the league's Outdoor Championships, as Ohio hosts the three-day event at Goldsberry Track in Athens, Ohio.
UP NEXT: The Zips will compete at the league's Outdoor Championships, as Ohio hosts the three-day event at the Goldsberry Track in Athens, Ohio.
In all, the championship meet will feature men's teams from Akron, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Kent State and Miami, while all 12 league members will be chasing the title on the women's side.
Live stats of the MAC Championships will be available at GoZips.com.
The Zips' men squad will be looking to capture its 11th outdoor league championship, having won 11 of the last 18 league titles overall, after triumphing in back-to-back campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
On the women's side, the Zips are seeking their 11th overall outdoor championship after capturing the crown in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Akron under the leadership of third-year head coach Kendra Reimer-Gonzales, the three-time MAC Men's Coach of the Year, will battle for team titles on both the men's and women's sides again this year.
MAC MEET SCHEDULE: The MAC Championships will begin on Thursday, May 15 at the Goldsberry Track with the start of the multis with the 100-meter hurdles in the women's heptathlon and the 100 meters as part of the men's decathlon at 10:00 a.m. and 10:25 a.m., respectively. The men's hammer will kick off the first of five field event championships on the day at 11 a.m., while running events start with the women's 1,500 meters at 5 p.m., before the women's 10,000 meters culminates the opening day at 7:10 p.m.
Second-day action begins on Friday, May 16 with the conclusion of the men's decathlon at 11 a.m. and the women's heptathlon at 11:30 a.m. Field events start with the men's shot put at 1 p.m., while running events will be bookended by the men's 110-meter hurdles meters at 4:10 p.m. and the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase at 6:55 p.m.
The final day of the championship on Saturday, May 17 kicks off with men's discus and high jump and women's triple jump at 12:30 p.m. The first running event is slated to begin at 1 p.m. with the men's 4x100 relay, before the meet wraps up with the women's 4x400 relay at 5 p.m. For a complete schedule of events, log on to MAC-Sports.com. Live results (click here) will be available throughout the meet.
Scoring in the meet will be on a 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for individual events and relays for the women and 10-8-6-4-2-1 for the men.
DEFENDING THEIR TITLES: The Zips have three student-athletes seeking to repeat as individual outdoor conference champions this season.
Redshirt junior Owen Wendl (Medina, Ohio) earned his first league title in the men's discus with a then career-best mark of 180-9 (55.11m).
Senior Joy Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) earned titles in the women's 200 and 400 meters, respectively, crossing the line in 23.42 and 53.48. Her effort in the women's 400 meters broke her own school record in the event.
Redshirt senior Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) eclipsed 17-5 (5.31m) to take the crown in the men's pole vault.
Sophomore Braylyn Farrington (Alabaster, Ala.) and junior Tysean Baronette (Middletown, Dela.) also return from the winning men's 4x400 relay team that crossed the line first in 3:09.32.
Additionally, seven Zips earned Second-Team All-MAC accolades. Baronette placed second in the 100 meters in 10.26, sophomore Mary Munga (Nyandarua, Kenya) finished second in the women's 800 meters in 2:10.37, junior Josiah Cox (New Franklin, Ohio) earned a runner-up finish in the men's shot put (57-0.75/17.39m), while senior Cassidy Allen (Lakewood, N.Y.) placed second in the women's pole vault (12-7.50/3.85m). The men's 4x100 relay team returns sophomore AJ Jordan (Columbus, Ohio), Baronette and sophomore Andrew Styles (Freeport, Bahamas), while the women's 4x00 welcomes back junior Vanessa Horn (Ludwigsfelde, Germany) and Nwokike.
TOP TIMES IN THE MAC: The Zips have registered nine overall top performances in the Mid-American Conference during the outdoor campaign.
Outdoor
| NAME | EVENT/DATE | RANK – MARK |
| Cassidy Allen | Women's Pole Vault | No. 1 – 13-8.50 (4.18m) |
| Brook Boes | Women's Discus | No. 1 – 168-10 (51.47m) |
| Josiah Cox | Men's Shot Put | No. 1 – 58-7.25 (17.86m) |
| Hunter Garretson | Men's Pole Vault | No. 1 – 18-1.75 (5.53m) |
| Jacob Glavickas | Men's Javelin | No. 1 – 193-9 (59.05m) |
| Lane Graham | Men's Hammer | No. 1 – 209-0 (63.71m) |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 5,000 Meters | No. 1 – 13:53.02 |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 3,000M Steeplechase | No. 1 – 8:27.51 |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 100 Meters | No. 1 – 11.39 |
ALL–MAC PERFORMERS (First–Team All–MAC/Second–Team All–MAC): Below is a listed on first– and second–place performances at the Mid–American Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the current members of the Zips' squad.
Hunter Garretson (8/0) – Indoor: Pole Vault – 2025 (1st-17-9/5.41m), 2024 (1st-18-2/5.53m), 2023 (1st-17-1/5.21m), 2022 (1st-17–4.50/5.30m), 2021 (1st-17–9.75/5.43m); Outdoor: Pole Vault: 2024 (1st-17-5/5.31m), 2023 (1st-17-5.50/5.32m), 2022 (1st-17–1.75/5.23m);
Joy Nwokike (4/1) – Indoor: 60 Meters – 2025 (1st-7.38); 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:44.85); Outdoor: 400 Meters – 2024 (1st-53.48); 200 Meters – 2024 (1st-23.42); 4x400 Relay – 2024 (2nd-3:39.10)
AJ Jordan (2/3) – Indoor: 60 Meters – 2024 (2nd-6.83); 200 Meters – 2024 (2nd-21.81); 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:18.33), 2024 (1st-3:14.86); Outdoor: 4x100 Relay – 2024 (2nd-40.06)
Cassidy Allen (2/1) – Indoor: Pole Vault – 2025 (1st-13-10/4.22m), 2024 (1st-12-10/3.90m); Outdoor: Pole Vault – 2024 (2nd-12-7.50/3.85m)
Andrew Styles (2/1) – Indoor: 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:18.33), 2024 (1st-3:14.86); Outdoor: 4x100 Relay – 2024 (2nd-40.06)
Braylyn Farrington (2/0) – Indoor: 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:18.33); Outdoor: 4x400 Relay – 2024 (1st-3:09.32)
Moses Lekokei (2/0) – Indoor: 3,000 Meters – 2025 (1st-8:11.77); 5,000 Meters – 2025 (1st-14:29.44)
Rukia Omulisia (2/0) – Indoor: 60-Meter Hurdles – (1st-8.38); 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:44.85)
Owen Wendl (2/0) – Indoor: Shot Put – 2025 (1st-58-9.50/17.92m); Outdoor: Discus – 2024 (1st-180-9/55.11m)
Tysean Baronette (1/2) – Outdoor: 100 Meters – 2024 (2nd-10.26); 4x100 Relay – 2024 (2nd-40.06); 4x400 Relay – 2024 (1st-3:09.32)
Vanessa Horn (1/2) – Indoor: 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:44.85); 400 Meters – 2024 (2nd-55.52); Outdoor: 4x400 Relay – 2024 (2nd-3:39.10)
Eve Clark (1/0) – Indoor: 4x400 Relay – 2025 (1st-3:44.85)
Brynn Rychlik (1/0) – Outdoor: Pole Vault – 2023 (1st-13-8/3.86m)
Josiah Co (0/3) – Indoor: Shot Put: 2023 (2nd-54-5.25/16.59m); Outdoor: Shot Put: 2024 (2nd-57-0.75/17.39m), 2023 (2nd-56-5.25/17.20m)
Bismack Kipchirchir (0/2) – Indoor: Mile – 2025 (2nd-4:12.45); 3,000 Meters – 2025 (2nd-8:11.78); 5,000 Meters – 2025 (2nd-14:29.74)
Adaeze Nwokike (0/2) – Outdoor: 4x100 Relay: 2022 (2nd-45.76); 400-Meter Hurdles: 2023 (2nd-59.91)
Brook Boes (0/1) – Indoor: Weight Throw – (2nd-64-0.50/19.52m)
Keegan Digby (0/1) – Indoor: Shot Put – 2025 (2nd-58-4/17.78m)
Mary Munga (0/1) – Outdoor: 800 Meters – 2024 (2nd-2:10.37)
ZIPS HONOR 15 SENIORS: Akron honored its 15 graduating seniors during the Northeast Ohio Open on May 9. Among those being recognized are Kayla Allen (Lakewood, N.Y.), Heriberto Alvarez (Oswego, Ill.), Nighyah Carthen (Twinsburg, Ohio), Keegan Digby (Bowling Green, Ohio), Hunter Garretson, Victory George (Norman, Okla.), Jacob Glavickas (Orwell, Ohio), Kaira Granger (Bedford, Ohio), Grace Henderson (Rostraver Township, Pa.), Danielle Honaker (Ashland, Ohio), Hannah Kerr (Chillicothe, Ohio), Adaeze Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria), Joy Nwokike, Brynn Rychlik (Marysville, Ohio), Halle Sebest (Poland, Ohio).
NATIONAL RANKINGS: The University of Akron track and field teams have garnered recognition for their efforts during the 2025 outdoor season as the Zips are rated among the Top 30 in the Event Squad rankings for five events released on May 13, 2025, as part of the United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index.
Akron is rated 10th nationally in the men's pole vault, 15th in the men's shot put and in the women's hammer, 16th in the men's hammer and 23rd in the women's discus.
ZIPS RANK AMONG NATION'S BEST IN 2025 TFRRS RANKINGS: Akron have three individual student-athletes ranked in the Top 50 nationally by the Track and Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS) for the 2025 outdoor campaign as freshman Bismack Kipchirchir (Eldama Ravine, Kenya) is rated sixth in the nation in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase (8:27.51).
Additionally, Hunter Garretson is eighth in the nation in the men's pole vault (18-1.75/5.53m).
AKRON TRIO EARNS MAC ATHLETE OF THE WEEK ACCOLADES:
Akron sophomore Rennie Gittens, Jr., along with seniors Lane Graham (Killbuck, Ohio) and Joy Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) were recognized by the Mid-American Conference as its Track and Field Athletes of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday (May 13).
Gittens, Jr., was tabbed as the MAC Men's Track Athlete of the Week, while Graham pulled in MAC Field Athlete of the Week honors. Nwokike was selected as the MAC Women's Track Athlete of the Week.
Gittens, Jr., won the men's 100 meters at the Northeast Ohio Open with a new personal-best of 10.37. He now holds the second-fastest time in the MAC this season.
Graham threw a career-best 209-0 (63.71m) to win the hammer at the Northeast Ohio Open. His throw ranks first in the MAC and fourth in Akron outdoor program history.
Nwokike ran a blazing MAC-leading 11.39 to win the women's 100 meters at the Northeast Ohio Open, now ranking 69th in the country.
A WEEK AGO:
Akron registered 17 victories as part of 46 overall top three performances at the Northeast Ohio Open hosted by the Zips at the Lee R. Jackson Track and Field Complex on Thursday and Friday (May 8-9).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Lane Graham posted a career-best mark of 209-0 (63.71m) to triumph in the men's hammer with the fourth-best effort in outdoor program history.
• Redshirt junior Gabrielle Griffiths (Fort Worth, Texas) won the women's hammer with a career-best mark of 193-5 (58.97m), the fifth-best performance in outdoor program history. She also captured the women's javelin with a mark of 145-6 (44.35m).
• Sophomore Christopher Vance (Parma, Ohio) finished second in the men's hammer with a career-best throw of 207-5 (63.22m), the fifth-best mark in outdoor program history.
• Hunter Garretson was the top collegiate finisher in the men's pole vault eclipsing 18-0 (5.49m).
• Senior Grace Henderson (Rostraver Township, Pa.) took first with a PR time of 4:45.77 in the women's 1,500 meters.
• Sophomore Titus Kirui (Eldoret, Kenya) crossed the line first in the men's 1,500 meters in a career-best time of 3:48.37.
• Freshman Rukia Omulisia (Nairobi, Kenya) placed first in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a career-best time of 13.57, the third-fastest time in outdoor program history.
• The men's 4x100 relay squad of Rennie Gittens, Jr., AJ Jordan, junior Kemari Robinson (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Andrew Styles finished first with a time of 40.83.
• Gittens, Jr. finished first in the men's 100 meters with a time of 10.37.
• Braylyn Farrington took the top time in the men's 400 meters with a career-best time of 48.10.
• Joy Nwokike posted the fastest time in the women's 100 meters with a career-best time of 11.39.
• Senior Adaeze Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) won the women's 400-meter hurdles in a time of 65.45.
• Kaira Granger led the way in the women's 200 meters with a time of 24.93.
• Halle Sebest ran the top time of 18:30.01 in the women's 5,000 meters.
• Cassidy Allen posted the top mark in the women's pole vault with a mark of 13-3.5 (4.05m).
• Senior Ruth Webb (Akron, Ohio) led the way in the women's high jump with a career-best mark of 5-7.75 (1.72m).
• Freshman El Hadji Abdourahmane Mbodji (Lucie Leclerc, Senegal) won the men's triple jump with a mark of 44-2.50 (13.47m).
USTFCCCA HONORS GARRETSON AS GREAT LAKES REGIONAL FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
Hunter Garretson was honored by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as the Great Lakes Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year, the USTFCCCA announced on March 20.
Garretson becomes the fourth Zip to collect All-Regional honors since 2007 joining Olympians Clayton Murphy (2016-Track) and Shawn Barber (2015-Field) and Cadeau Kelley (2008-Field). He previously captured the honor during the 2023 outdoor campaign.
GARRETSON EARNS FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA ACCOLADES:
Hunter Garretson captured First-Team All-America accolades on the strength of a third-place performance at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 14 in Virginia Beach, Va.
A five-time All-America honoree, Garretson captured First-Team laurels for the third time in his decorated career eclipsing 18-6.75 (5.66m).
After passing at the opening height of 17-7 (5.36m), Garretson cleared the next two bars of 17-11 (5.46m) and 18-3 (5.56m) on his initial runs at the heights.
He needed two attempts to clear 18-4.75 (5.61m) before besting the bar at 18-6.75 (5.66m) on his final attempt.
After missing his initial attempt at 18-8.34 (5.71m), Garretson passed his next two jumps. He was unable to clear the bar at 18-10.75 (5.76m) on each of his attempts and finished with a third-place effort.
GARRETSON NAMED ELITE 90 WINNER: Hunter Garretson was the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2025 NCAA Division Men's Track and Field Indoor Championship.
Garretson, who is majoring in mathematics, boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA, was presented with the award during a presentation on March 14.
Winning the honor for the third consecutive season, Garretson became the first three-time recipient of the award in Division I track and field and ninth overall three-time honoree across all sports in Division I.
The honor was the fourth time a Zip has garnered the distinguished honor joining Tyler Sanda, who won the award as a member of the Akron men's soccer team in 2015.
AKRON GARNERS TRIO OF MAC INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD SPECIALTY AWARDS:
Hunter Garretson and Bismack Kipchirchir were honored by the Mid-American Conference as its 2025 Indoor Track and Field Men's Most Outstanding Track and Field Performers of the Year, the league unveiled on March 7.
Additionally, Akron assistant coach Randy Overby was tabbed by his peers as the Men's Assistant Coach of the Year.
Garretson earned his fifth consecutive MAC indoor pole title and eighth overall league championship besting the field at the MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1 with a mark of 17-9 (5.41m). His five indoor conference pole vault titles and eight overall combined (indoor/outdoor) pole vault championships are the most in league history.
Kipchirchir turned in a stellar effort at the MAC Championships garnering Most Valuable Performer and Freshman of the Year accolades with runner-up finishes in the men's mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meters.
He opened his championship run crossing the line second in the men's 5,000 meters in a career-best time of 14:29.74, the fifth-fastest time in indoor program history. In final-day competition, Kipchirchir placed second in the men's mile in a time of 4:12.45 before capturing Second-Team All-MAC honors in the men's 3,000 meters in a time of 8:11.78.
The Akron's men's team under Overby's tutelage dominated the sprints and hurdles at the MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships (Feb. 28-March 1) scoring 54 points en route to securing its ninth overall indoor league title and first since 2020.
The team produced three All-MAC performances, with redshirt senior Jimmy Harkelroad (Huron, Ohio) earning First-Team honors in the 400M and 4x400 relay alongside sophomore Braylyn Farrington (Alabaster, Ala.), AJ Jordan and Andrew Styles, while also receiving Second-Team recognition in the 200M.
The 4x400M relay squad, consisting of Farrington, Harkelroad, Jordan, and Styles, claimed victory, as did Harkelroad in the 400M. Additionally, Jordan secured third-place finishes in the 60M and 200M, while junior Tysean Baronette (Middletown, Del.) (4th – 200M), Rennie Gittens, Jr. (4th – 60M), Farrington (4th – 400M), and Styles (5th – 400M) delivered strong performances. Under expert coaching, the team has recorded the MAC's top times this season in the 400M and 4x400 relay, along with the second-best marks in the 60M and 200M.
AKRON CROSS COUNTRY EARNS USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC ACCOLADES: The Akron cross country team under the leadership of Zips' director of track and field/cross country Kendra Reimer-Gonzales and cross country head coach Evans Kiptoo garnered recognition for the squad's efforts in the classroom as the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) tabbed Akron a Division I All-Academic team for the 2024 campaign.
The Akron men's squad was honored for recording a 3.335 GPA, while the women's team garnered recognition for its work in the classroom for the 11th straight year with a 3.356 cumulative GPA.
Overall, 209 women's teams and 183 men's teams earned All-Academic team honors.
CRACKING THE ALL-TIME TOP FIVE PERFORMANCES: The Zips added 21 overall top five performances and four school records in program history to the record book during the 2025 outdoor campaign.
| NAME | EVENT/DATE | RANK – MARK |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 3,000M Steeplechase – March 27 | No. 1 – 8:37.85 |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 400M – April 5 | No. 1 – 52.90 |
| Ayanna Stafford Joy Nwokike Rukia Omulisia Vanessa Horn |
Women's 4x100 Relay – April 4 | No. 1 – 45.19 |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 3,000M Steeplechase – April 16 | No. 1 – 8:27.51 |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 5,000M – April 26 | No. 2 – 13:53.02 |
| Titus Kirui | Men's 5,000M – April 17 | No. 3 – 14:12.75 |
| Moses Lekokei | Men's 5,000M – April 26 | No. 3 – 13:53.33 |
| Rukia Omulisia | Women's 100MH – May 9 | No. 3 – 13.57 |
| Josiah Cox | Men's Shot Put – March 29 | No. 4 – 58-7.25 (17.86m) |
| Christopher Vance | Men's Hammer – April 4 | No. 4 – 206-11 (63.06m) |
| Megan Hipple | Women's 5,000M – April 17 | No. 4 – 16:42.42 |
| Lane Graham | Men's Hammer – April 25 | No. 4 – 207-7 (63.29m) |
| Lane Graham | Men's Hammer – May 8 | No. 4 – 209-0 (63.71m) |
| Titus Kirui | Men's 5,000M – March 27 | No. 5 – 14:27.68 |
| Owen Wendl | Men's Discus – April 13 | No. 5 – 182-9 (55.72m) |
| Owen Wendl | Men's Shot Put – April 18 | No. 5 – 58-1 (17.70m) |
| Ayanna Stafford Joy Nwokike Rukia Omulisia Victory George |
Women's 4x100 Relay – April 19 | No. 5 – 45.78 |
| Brook Boes | Women's Discus – April 26 | No. 5 – 168-10 (51.47m) |
| Gabrielle Griffiths | Women's Javelin – May 2 | No. 5 – 146-0 (44.51m) |
| Christopher Vance | Men's Hammer – May 8 | No. 5 – 207-5 (63.22m) |
| Gabrielle Griffiths | Women's Hammer – May 8 | No. 5 – 193-5 (58.97m) |
CRACKING THE ALL-TIME TOP FIVE PERFORMANCES: The Zips added 28 overall top five performances and five school records in program history to the record book during the 2025 indoor campaign.
| NAME | EVENT/DATE | RANK – MARK |
| Keegan Digby | Shot Put – Dec. 6 | No. 5 – 57-6.25 (17.53m) |
| Brook Boes | Weight Throw – Dec. 6 | No. 5 – 64-7 (19.68m) |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 400M – Dec. 6 | No. 3 – 54.97 |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 200M – Dec. 6 | No. 4 – 24.09 |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 200M – Jan. 10 | No. 2 – 23.94 |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 400M – Jan. 11 | No. 3 – 54.56 |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 200M – Jan. 17 | No. 1 – 23.79 |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 400M – Jan. 17 | No. 3 – 54.46 |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 3,000M – Jan. 17 | No. 4 – 8:08.57 |
| Hunter Garretson | Men's Pole Vault – Jan. 17 | No. 3 – 18-10.50 (5.75m) |
| Keegan Digby | Men's Shot Put – Jan. 17 | No. 5 – 58-3.25 (17.76m) |
| Mary Munga | Women's Mile – Jan. 25 | No. 5 – 4:50.08 |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's Mile – Jan. 31 | No. 4 – 4:05.32 |
| Hunter Garretson | Men's Pole Vault – Feb. 7 | No. 3 – 18-10.75 (5.76m) |
| Mercy Jebitok | Women's 3,000M – Feb. 8 | No. 5 – 9:45.11 |
| Rukia Omulisia | Women's 60MH – Feb. 8 | No. 4 – 8.48 |
| Mercy Jebitok | Women's 5,000M – Feb. 15 | No. 1 – 16:23.67 |
| Braylyn Farrington Jimmy Harkelroad AJ Jordan Andrew Styles |
Men's 4x400 Relay – Feb. 15 | No. 4 – 3:11.12 |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 400M – Feb. 14 | No. 1 – 53.29 |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 3,000M – Feb. 14 | No. 1 – 7:57.23 |
| Moses Lekokei | Men's 5,000M – Feb. 14 | No. 2 – 13:56.25 |
| Vanessa Horn | Women's 400M – Feb. 14 | No. 4 – 54.66 |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 5,000M – Feb. 28 | No. 5 – 14:29.74 |
| Owen Wendl | Men's Shot Put – March 1 | No. 5 – 58-9.50 (17.92m) |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 60M – Feb. 28 | No. 1 – 7.34 |
| Rukia Omulisia | Women's 60MH – March 1 | No. 2 – 8.38 |
| Cassidy Allen | Women's Pole Vault – Feb. 28 | No. 5 – 13.10 (4.22m) |
| Vanessa Horn Rukia Omulisia Eve Clark Joy Nwokike |
Women's 4x400 Relay – March 1 | No. 5 – 3:44.85 |
TOP MARKS:
Akron Men
Click Here
Akron Women
Click Here
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Multis
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Multis
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Multis
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & FieldAkron Indoor Track & Field - Al Campbell Invitational
Friday, February 17
Akron Indoor Track & Field Dual vs. Kent State
Friday, January 20
2022 Akron Zips Athletics - Logo Reveal - 5/9/22
Monday, May 09
2021-22 Akron Zips This Week in Akron Athletics - 4/26/22
Tuesday, April 26
