CLEVELAND, Ohio – Nine Mid-American Conference student-athletes have earned the opportunity to compete on collegiate track and field’s biggest stage — the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held June 11–14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Among this elite group is Akron’s Bismack Kipchirchir, who secured the final qualifying spot in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. Kipchirchir crossed the line in 8:42.88 at the NCAA East Prelims, earning the 12th and final berth in the event. He’ll toe the line on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:38 p.m. ET. He’ll be joined by teammate Hunter Garretson, who will make his third career NCAA Championship appearance in the men’s pole vault after clearing 17-5.75 (5.33m). Garretson competes the same evening at 7:35 p.m. ET.
Ball State’s Kenli Nettles will represent the Cardinals in the heptathlon, entering the national championship seeded 20th among 24 qualifiers. The multi-event competition will be held June 13–14, showcasing Nettles’ versatility across seven events.
Buffalo’s Zahra Amos made history for the Bulls, becoming the program’s first NCAA qualifier in the women’s high jump since 1998. Amos cleared a personal-best 1.79 meters — good for third in school history — to place 11th overall at the East Preliminaries.
Central Michigan’s Emily Paupore shattered her own school record in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, clocking 9:53.89 to finish seventh and punch her ticket to Eugene. Paupore entered the postseason ranked 16th nationally in the event and delivered when it mattered most.
Kent State leads the MAC contingent with three student-athletes heading to nationals. Alexandre Malanda qualified in the men’s triple jump, saving his best for last with a personal-best leap of 52’-9.25” on his final attempt. His mark ranks fourth all-time in Golden Flashes history. Svenia De Coninck joined him in the women’s high jump, clearing a career-best 5’-10.50” to finish 12th overall — just enough to secure the final qualifying spot and tie for the third-best mark in school history. Shelby Grover, who had already earned her place in the heptathlon, rounds out the Kent State trio.
The MAC’s nine qualifiers will now turn their attention to Hayward Field, where they’ll compete against the top collegiate athletes in the country with national titles on the line.
NCAA Championship Qualifiers
Bismack Kipchirchir, Akron, 3000m Steeplechase
Hunter Garettson, Akron, Pole Vault
Kenli Nettles, Ball State, Heptathlon
Zahra Amos, Buffalo, High Jump
Emily Paupore, Central Michigan 3000m Steeplechase
Alexandre Malanda, Kent State, Triple Jump
Shelby Grover, Kent State, Heptathlon
Svenia De Conick, Kent State, High Jump
Ella Scally, Miami, Long Jump
