EUGENE, Ore. – The Mid-American Conference was represented by nine outstanding student-athletes at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Among the competitors, three earned prestigious Second Team All-America honors: Akron’s
Bismack Kipchirchir, Central Michigan’s
Emily Paupore, and Kent State’s
Alexandre Malanda.
Kipchirchir, a freshman from Akron, delivered a gutsy effort in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase semifinals, clocking 8:35.58 to secure 12th place overall—just one spot shy of qualifying for the final. His performance earns him Second Team All-America recognition in his NCAA debut.
Central Michigan senior Emily Paupore capped her collegiate career in memorable fashion, racing to an 11th-place finish in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final with a time of 9:54.94. She had advanced to the title race with a personal-best 9:43.24 in the semifinal, earning Second Team All-America honors.
Kent State’s Alexandre Malanda rounded out the MAC’s All-America trio, placing 12th in the men’s triple jump with a leap of 51'-5.75" on his third attempt. His mark temporarily put him in ninth position, but he narrowly missed advancing to the finals.
Also competing for Kent State was standout Shelby Grover, who placed 18th in the women's heptathlon with a school-record 5,501 points. Grover closed out her championship effort with a personal-best time of 2:23.48 in the 800 meters. Teammate Svenia De Coninck tied for 23rd in the women’s high jump, clearing 5'-8.5".
Akron was also represented by redshirt senior Hunter Garretson, who concluded his decorated career in the men's pole vault. Battling injury, Garretson was unable to clear the bar at 17-9.75 (5.43m) or 18-1.75 (5.53m), but leaves a lasting legacy as one of the MAC’s most decorated vaulters.
Ball State’s Kenli Nettles opened her heptathlon competition with a strong Day 1, highlighted by a 24.64 in the 200 meters—her best event of the day. Despite a promising start, she was unable to compete on Day 2 due to injury.
Miami’s Ella Scally made program history by becoming the first Miami woman to earn All-America honors in the long jump. Scally placed 22nd overall with a jump of 5.92 meters, earning Honorable Mention All-America status.
Buffalo’s Zahra Amos capped her career with a 19th-place finish in the women’s high jump. Clearing 1.74 meters on her first attempt, Amos earned All-America Honorable Mention honors, becoming the first female high jumper from Buffalo at the NCAA Championships since 1998.
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