The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Set for NCAA East Preliminary Round Track and Field Championships
May 27 | Track & Field
NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY ROUND: MEET INFORMATION | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron track and field program will send 18 student-athletes from its men's and women's teams – competing in 13 events – to the NCAA East Preliminary Round at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., from May 28-31.
The meet, which invites the region's top 48 athletes in each event, serves as the opening round of the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The top 12 finishers in each event will advance to the NCAA National Championship in Eugene, Ore., from June 11-14. The NCAA West preliminaries will be held in College Station, Texas, at the same time.
The Zips will be represented by 10 men and eight women at the NCAA East Preliminary Round in Jacksonville, Fla., this weekend.
Competing for Akron on the women's side will be senior Cassidy Allen (Lakewood, N.Y.) (Pole Vault – 5:30 p.m., Thursday), redshirt senior Brook Boes (Tiffin, Ohio) (Discus – 1 p.m., Saturday), senior Victory George (Norman, Okla.) (4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday), redshirt junior Gabrielle Griffiths (Fort Worth, Texas) (Hammer – 10 a.m., Thursday), junior Vanessa Horn (Ludwigsfelde, Germany) (4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday), senior Joy Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) (400 Meters – 7:25 p.m., Thursday; 200 Meters – 8:45 p.m., Thursday; 4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday), freshman Rukia Omulisia (Nairobi, Kenya) (100-Meter Hurdles – 6:00 p.m., Thursday; 4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday) and sophomore Ayanna Stafford (Columbus, Ohio) (4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday).
AKRON WOMEN'S QUALIFIERS (Qualifying Rank-Qualifying Mark):
Cassidy Allen – Pole Vault (No. 30 – 4.18m)
Brook Boes – Discus (No. 38 – 51.47m)
Victory George – 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Gabrielle Griffiths – Hammer (No. 33 – 58.97m)
Vanessa Horn – 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Joy Nwokike – 200 Meters (No. 35 – 23.24), 400 Meters (No. 35 – 52.90) and 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Rukia Omulisia – 100-Meter Hurdles (No. 29 – 13.24) and 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Ayanna Stafford – 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Competing for Akron on the men's side will be freshman Isaac Baltic (Medina, Ohio) (Pole Vault – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday), sophomore Mason Birch (Strongsville, Ohio) (High Jump – 2:30 p.m., Friday), junior Josiah Cox (New Franklin, Ohio) (Shot Put – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday), redshirt senior Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) (Pole Vault – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday), senior Lane Graham (Killbuck, Ohio) (Hammer – 10:00 a.m., Wednesday), sophomore AJ Jordan (Columbus, Ohio) (200 Meters – 7:25 p.m., Wednesday), freshman Bismack Kipchirchir (Eldama Ravine, Kenya) (3,000-Meter Steeplechase – 5:40 p.m., Friday), freshman Kaden Rambatt (Sharon, Wis.) (Pole Vault – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday), sophomore Christopher Vance (Parma, Ohio) (Hammer – 10:00 a.m., Wednesday) and redshirt junior Owen Wendl (Medina, Ohio) (Shot Put – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday; Discus – 1:00 p.m., Friday).
AKRON MEN'S QUALIFIERS (Qualifying Rank-Qualifying Mark):
Isaac Baltic – Pole Vault (No. 44 – 5.19m)
Mason Birch – High Jump (No. 24 – 2.14m)
Josiah Cox – Shot Put (No. 46 – 17.86m)
Hunter Garretson – Pole Vault (No. 5 – 5.53m)
Lane Graham – Hammer Throw (No. 30 – 63.71m)
AJ Jordan – 200 Meters (No. 40 – 20.74)
Bismack Kipchirchir – 3,000-Meter Steeplechase (No. 3 – 8:27.51)
Kaden Rambatt – Pole Vault (No. 45 – 5.19m)
Christopher Vance – Hammer Throw (No. 34 – 63.22m)
Owen Wendl – Shot Put (No. 27 – 18.35m) and Discus (No. 7 – 61.23m)
NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY ROUND MEET SCHEDULE: The NCAA East Preliminary Round meet begins at 10 a.m. at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida, on Wednesday, May 28, with the start of the men's hammer. Running events kick off with the men's 110-meter hurdle preliminaries at 6 p.m. and conclude with the running of the men's 10,000 meters at 9:10 p.m.
The second day opens with the women's hammer at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Running events begin with the preliminary round of the women's 100-meter hurdles at 6 p.m. The women's 10,000 meters closes out the day's action at 9:10 p.m.
The third day commences with the men's discus at 1 p.m. on Friday before actions gets underway on the track with the quarterfinals of the men's 4x100 relay at 5 p.m. The quarterfinals of the men's 4x400 relay caps the men's competition at 8:45 p.m.
The final day of the championship kicks off with the women's discus at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The first running event is slated to begin at 5 p.m. with the quarterfinals of the women's 4x100 relay before the meet draws to a close with the women's 4x400 relay quarterfinals at 8:45 p.m.
For a complete schedule of events, log on to ncaa.com. Live results (click here) will be available throughout the meet as well as live video (click here).
Wednesday • May 28
10:00 am – Men's Hammer (Lane Graham, Christopher Vance)
5:30 pm – Men's Pole Vault (Isaac Baltic, Hunter Garretson, Kaden Rambatt)
6:00 pm – Men's Shot Put (Josiah Cox, Owen Wendl)
7:25 pm – Men's 200 Meters Opening Round (AJ Jordan)
Thursday • May 29
10:00 am – Women's Hammer (Gabrielle Griffiths)
5:30 pm – Women's Pole Vault (Cassidy Allen)
6:00 pm – Women's 100-Meter Hurdles First Round (Rukia Omulisia)
7:25 pm – Women's 400 Meters First Round (Joy Nwokike)
8:45 pm – Women's 200 Meters First Round (Joy Nwokike)
Friday • May 30
1:00 pm – Men's Discus (Owen Wendl)
2:30 pm – Men's High Jump (Mason Birch)
5:40 pm – Men's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Quarterfinals (Bismack Kipchirchir)
7:50 pm – Men's 200 Meters Quarterfinals (AJ Jordan)
Saturday • May 31
1:00 pm – Women's Discus (Brook Boes)
5:00 pm – Women's 4x100 Relay Quarterfinals (Victory George, Vanessa Horn, Joy Nwokike, Rukia Omulisia, Ayanna Stafford)
6:15 pm – Women's 100-Meter Hurdles Quarterfinals (Rukia Omulisia)
6:50 pm – Women's 400 Meters Quarterfinals (Joy Nwokike)
7:50 pm – Women's 200 Meters Quarterfinals (Joy Nwokike)
NCAA CHAMPIONS: Akron's entries will be looking to add to the tradition of the Zips' track and field program, which already includes nine individual national champions. Christi Smith made history in 2000 when she became the first national champion in school history, capturing gold in the heptathlon. Stevi Large was the next to accomplish the feat, winning the women's hammer throw in 2009. Annika Roloff captured the women's pole vault in 2014. Shawn Barber became the school's first male champion claiming the indoor pole vault title in 2014 before again earning the crown at the 2015 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Clayton Murphy became Akron's first-ever NCAA champion in a running event winning the indoor 800 meters and outdoor 1,500 meters in 2016. In 2017, Matt Ludwig claimed the national title in the men's pole vault.
TOP TIMES IN THE MAC: The Zips have registered 12 overall top performances in the Mid-American Conference during the outdoor campaign.
Outdoor
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 six events released on May 20, 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 ninth nationally in the men's pole vault, 13th in the men's shot put, 17th in the men's hammer and women's hammer, 21st in the men's discus and 22nd in the women's discus.
ZIPS RANK AMONG NATION'S BEST IN 2025 TFRRS RANKINGS: Akron have four individual student-athletes ranked in the Top 50 nationally by the Track and Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS) for the 2025 outdoor campaign as Bismack Kipchirchir is rated seventh in the nation in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase (8:27.51).
Additionally, Hunter Garretson is 11th in the nation in the men's pole vault (18-1.75/5.53m), Owen Wendl is 13th in the men's discus (200-11/61.23m) and Mason Birch (7-0.25/2.14m).
OWEN WENDL NAMED MAC MOST OUTSTANDING PERFORMER: Owen Wendl was honored by the Mid-American Conference as its 2025 Outdoor Track and Field Men's Most Outstanding Field Performer of the Year, the league unveiled on May 22.
Wendl captured a pair of MAC titles winning the men's discus and shot put with a pair of career-best marks. Wendl capped his championship efforts claiming the title in the men's discus, the fourth MAC title of his Zips' career, with a career-best mark of 200-10 (61.23m), just off the meet record of 201-9 and conference record of 205-9. His performance stands as the No. 13 mark in the United States in the discus in 2025.
Wendl opened the weekend capturing the men's shot put for his third career league title with a career-best throw of 60-2.50 (18.35m). His effort stands as the No. 71 mark in the NCAA this season and the No. 2 effort in outdoor program history.
ZIPS CAPTURE MAC MEN'S OUTDOOR TEAM TITLE: The University of Akron men's track and field team made it back-to-back-to-back Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field titles capturing the program's 11th overall outdoor crown at the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Ohio at Goldsberry Track on May 17.
AKRON EARNS TRIO OF MAC CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS: Akron Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Kendra Reimer-Gonzales was named as the MAC Men's Coach of the Year.
Bismack Kipchirchir was tabbed as the Most Valuable Performer of the Meet and league's Men's Track Freshman of the Year.
Rukia Omulisia was selected as the MAC's Women's Track Freshman of the Year
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 sophomore Andrew Styles (Freeport, Bahamas), 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 28 overall top five performances and five 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
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Akron Women
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron track and field program will send 18 student-athletes from its men's and women's teams – competing in 13 events – to the NCAA East Preliminary Round at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., from May 28-31.
The meet, which invites the region's top 48 athletes in each event, serves as the opening round of the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The top 12 finishers in each event will advance to the NCAA National Championship in Eugene, Ore., from June 11-14. The NCAA West preliminaries will be held in College Station, Texas, at the same time.
The Zips will be represented by 10 men and eight women at the NCAA East Preliminary Round in Jacksonville, Fla., this weekend.
Competing for Akron on the women's side will be senior Cassidy Allen (Lakewood, N.Y.) (Pole Vault – 5:30 p.m., Thursday), redshirt senior Brook Boes (Tiffin, Ohio) (Discus – 1 p.m., Saturday), senior Victory George (Norman, Okla.) (4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday), redshirt junior Gabrielle Griffiths (Fort Worth, Texas) (Hammer – 10 a.m., Thursday), junior Vanessa Horn (Ludwigsfelde, Germany) (4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday), senior Joy Nwokike (Benin City, Nigeria) (400 Meters – 7:25 p.m., Thursday; 200 Meters – 8:45 p.m., Thursday; 4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday), freshman Rukia Omulisia (Nairobi, Kenya) (100-Meter Hurdles – 6:00 p.m., Thursday; 4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday) and sophomore Ayanna Stafford (Columbus, Ohio) (4x100 Relay – 5 p.m., Saturday).
AKRON WOMEN'S QUALIFIERS (Qualifying Rank-Qualifying Mark):
Cassidy Allen – Pole Vault (No. 30 – 4.18m)
Brook Boes – Discus (No. 38 – 51.47m)
Victory George – 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Gabrielle Griffiths – Hammer (No. 33 – 58.97m)
Vanessa Horn – 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Joy Nwokike – 200 Meters (No. 35 – 23.24), 400 Meters (No. 35 – 52.90) and 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Rukia Omulisia – 100-Meter Hurdles (No. 29 – 13.24) and 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Ayanna Stafford – 4x100 Relay (No. 21 – 44.51)
Competing for Akron on the men's side will be freshman Isaac Baltic (Medina, Ohio) (Pole Vault – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday), sophomore Mason Birch (Strongsville, Ohio) (High Jump – 2:30 p.m., Friday), junior Josiah Cox (New Franklin, Ohio) (Shot Put – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday), redshirt senior Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) (Pole Vault – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday), senior Lane Graham (Killbuck, Ohio) (Hammer – 10:00 a.m., Wednesday), sophomore AJ Jordan (Columbus, Ohio) (200 Meters – 7:25 p.m., Wednesday), freshman Bismack Kipchirchir (Eldama Ravine, Kenya) (3,000-Meter Steeplechase – 5:40 p.m., Friday), freshman Kaden Rambatt (Sharon, Wis.) (Pole Vault – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday), sophomore Christopher Vance (Parma, Ohio) (Hammer – 10:00 a.m., Wednesday) and redshirt junior Owen Wendl (Medina, Ohio) (Shot Put – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday; Discus – 1:00 p.m., Friday).
AKRON MEN'S QUALIFIERS (Qualifying Rank-Qualifying Mark):
Isaac Baltic – Pole Vault (No. 44 – 5.19m)
Mason Birch – High Jump (No. 24 – 2.14m)
Josiah Cox – Shot Put (No. 46 – 17.86m)
Hunter Garretson – Pole Vault (No. 5 – 5.53m)
Lane Graham – Hammer Throw (No. 30 – 63.71m)
AJ Jordan – 200 Meters (No. 40 – 20.74)
Bismack Kipchirchir – 3,000-Meter Steeplechase (No. 3 – 8:27.51)
Kaden Rambatt – Pole Vault (No. 45 – 5.19m)
Christopher Vance – Hammer Throw (No. 34 – 63.22m)
Owen Wendl – Shot Put (No. 27 – 18.35m) and Discus (No. 7 – 61.23m)
NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY ROUND MEET SCHEDULE: The NCAA East Preliminary Round meet begins at 10 a.m. at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida, on Wednesday, May 28, with the start of the men's hammer. Running events kick off with the men's 110-meter hurdle preliminaries at 6 p.m. and conclude with the running of the men's 10,000 meters at 9:10 p.m.
The second day opens with the women's hammer at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Running events begin with the preliminary round of the women's 100-meter hurdles at 6 p.m. The women's 10,000 meters closes out the day's action at 9:10 p.m.
The third day commences with the men's discus at 1 p.m. on Friday before actions gets underway on the track with the quarterfinals of the men's 4x100 relay at 5 p.m. The quarterfinals of the men's 4x400 relay caps the men's competition at 8:45 p.m.
The final day of the championship kicks off with the women's discus at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The first running event is slated to begin at 5 p.m. with the quarterfinals of the women's 4x100 relay before the meet draws to a close with the women's 4x400 relay quarterfinals at 8:45 p.m.
For a complete schedule of events, log on to ncaa.com. Live results (click here) will be available throughout the meet as well as live video (click here).
Wednesday • May 28
10:00 am – Men's Hammer (Lane Graham, Christopher Vance)
5:30 pm – Men's Pole Vault (Isaac Baltic, Hunter Garretson, Kaden Rambatt)
6:00 pm – Men's Shot Put (Josiah Cox, Owen Wendl)
7:25 pm – Men's 200 Meters Opening Round (AJ Jordan)
Thursday • May 29
10:00 am – Women's Hammer (Gabrielle Griffiths)
5:30 pm – Women's Pole Vault (Cassidy Allen)
6:00 pm – Women's 100-Meter Hurdles First Round (Rukia Omulisia)
7:25 pm – Women's 400 Meters First Round (Joy Nwokike)
8:45 pm – Women's 200 Meters First Round (Joy Nwokike)
Friday • May 30
1:00 pm – Men's Discus (Owen Wendl)
2:30 pm – Men's High Jump (Mason Birch)
5:40 pm – Men's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase Quarterfinals (Bismack Kipchirchir)
7:50 pm – Men's 200 Meters Quarterfinals (AJ Jordan)
Saturday • May 31
1:00 pm – Women's Discus (Brook Boes)
5:00 pm – Women's 4x100 Relay Quarterfinals (Victory George, Vanessa Horn, Joy Nwokike, Rukia Omulisia, Ayanna Stafford)
6:15 pm – Women's 100-Meter Hurdles Quarterfinals (Rukia Omulisia)
6:50 pm – Women's 400 Meters Quarterfinals (Joy Nwokike)
7:50 pm – Women's 200 Meters Quarterfinals (Joy Nwokike)
NCAA CHAMPIONS: Akron's entries will be looking to add to the tradition of the Zips' track and field program, which already includes nine individual national champions. Christi Smith made history in 2000 when she became the first national champion in school history, capturing gold in the heptathlon. Stevi Large was the next to accomplish the feat, winning the women's hammer throw in 2009. Annika Roloff captured the women's pole vault in 2014. Shawn Barber became the school's first male champion claiming the indoor pole vault title in 2014 before again earning the crown at the 2015 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Clayton Murphy became Akron's first-ever NCAA champion in a running event winning the indoor 800 meters and outdoor 1,500 meters in 2016. In 2017, Matt Ludwig claimed the national title in the men's pole vault.
TOP TIMES IN THE MAC: The Zips have registered 12 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) |
| Mason Birch | Men's High Jump | No. 1 – 7-0.25 (2.14m) |
| Brook Boes | Women's Discus | No. 1 – 168-10 (51.47m) |
| Hunter Garretson | Men's Pole Vault | No. 1 – 18-1.75 (5.53m) |
| 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 |
| Rukia Omulisia | Women's 100-Meter Hurdles | No. 1 – 13.24 |
| Owen Wendl | Men's Shot Put | No. 1 – 60-2.50 (18.35m) |
| Owen Wendl | Men's Discus | No. 1 – 200-11 (61.23m) |
| Ayanna Stafford Joy Nwokike Vanessa Horn Rukia Omulisia |
Women's 4x100 Relay | No. 1 – 44.51 |
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 six events released on May 20, 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 ninth nationally in the men's pole vault, 13th in the men's shot put, 17th in the men's hammer and women's hammer, 21st in the men's discus and 22nd in the women's discus.
ZIPS RANK AMONG NATION'S BEST IN 2025 TFRRS RANKINGS: Akron have four individual student-athletes ranked in the Top 50 nationally by the Track and Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS) for the 2025 outdoor campaign as Bismack Kipchirchir is rated seventh in the nation in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase (8:27.51).
Additionally, Hunter Garretson is 11th in the nation in the men's pole vault (18-1.75/5.53m), Owen Wendl is 13th in the men's discus (200-11/61.23m) and Mason Birch (7-0.25/2.14m).
OWEN WENDL NAMED MAC MOST OUTSTANDING PERFORMER: Owen Wendl was honored by the Mid-American Conference as its 2025 Outdoor Track and Field Men's Most Outstanding Field Performer of the Year, the league unveiled on May 22.
Wendl captured a pair of MAC titles winning the men's discus and shot put with a pair of career-best marks. Wendl capped his championship efforts claiming the title in the men's discus, the fourth MAC title of his Zips' career, with a career-best mark of 200-10 (61.23m), just off the meet record of 201-9 and conference record of 205-9. His performance stands as the No. 13 mark in the United States in the discus in 2025.
Wendl opened the weekend capturing the men's shot put for his third career league title with a career-best throw of 60-2.50 (18.35m). His effort stands as the No. 71 mark in the NCAA this season and the No. 2 effort in outdoor program history.
ZIPS CAPTURE MAC MEN'S OUTDOOR TEAM TITLE: The University of Akron men's track and field team made it back-to-back-to-back Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field titles capturing the program's 11th overall outdoor crown at the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Ohio at Goldsberry Track on May 17.
AKRON EARNS TRIO OF MAC CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS: Akron Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Kendra Reimer-Gonzales was named as the MAC Men's Coach of the Year.
Bismack Kipchirchir was tabbed as the Most Valuable Performer of the Meet and league's Men's Track Freshman of the Year.
Rukia Omulisia was selected as the MAC's Women's Track Freshman of the Year
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 sophomore Andrew Styles (Freeport, Bahamas), 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 28 overall top five performances and five 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 |
| Ayanna Stafford Joy Nwokike Rukia Omulisia Vanessa Horn |
Women's 4x100 Relay – May 17 | No. 1 – 44.51 |
| Bismack Kipchirchir | Men's 5,000M – April 26 | No. 2 – 13:53.02 |
| Owen Wendl | Men's Discus – May 17 | No. 2 – 200-11 (61.23m) |
| Owen Wendl | Men's Shot Put – May 16 | No. 2 – 60-2.50 (18.35m) |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 200M – May 17 | No. 2 – 23.24 |
| Rukia Omulisia | Women's 100MH – May 2 | No. 2 – 13.24 |
| 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) |
| Joy Nwokike | Women's 100M – May 16 | No.4 – 11.51 |
| 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) |
| Braylyn Farrington Andrew Styles Jalen McCoy AJ Jordan |
Men's 4x400 Relay – May 17 | No. 5 – 3:09.36 |
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 |
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/ Track & FieldAkron Indoor Track & Field - Al Campbell Invitational
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2022 Akron Zips Athletics - Logo Reveal - 5/9/22
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2021-22 Akron Zips This Week in Akron Athletics - 4/26/22
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