CWU's Ntekpere wins national champion honors

PUEBLO, Colo. – Central Washington Track and Field finished seventh at the NCAA Division Two Outdoor Championships over the weekend. Wildcats runner, Emy Ntekpere, finished with national champion honors in the women’s high jump and triple jump, according to a statement by Central Washington Athletics.  

Ntekpere made history as the first woman in GNAC history to win two individual field events at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships. The women's team placed seventh in this meet, tying the GNAC record for best performance. 

“Emy competed like a warrior, obviously winning two national titles is extraordinary, but the story behind the win is the special part for me,” head coach Jonathan Hill said, “Emy is just starting to realize she can win these meets. It's ok to fail, but it's not ok to give up. She fought through a third attempt, 1.73 bar, then rocked a 1.76 first attempt. It was her meet after that.” 

Ntekpere is only a sophomore and will have two more years to compete with the Wildcats.  

“Surrounded by her teammates, Emy launched a lifetime best of 13.33 to win the meet, it was an incredible moment of resilience, character, toughness, everything we hope our kids will be when their moment comes. Emy is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, teammate, and person,” Hill said.  

Johan Correa advanced to the final round of the men's 800 meters with a time of 1:48.81. He went on to finish sixth in the final with a time of 1:50.11, earning First Team All-American honors. 

“He ran to win, and we were all really hoping for a title for this man. He got a little tripped up, and that hurt his momentum. In fields like this, that's all it takes. It was a great race, and sixth in this field, and the season he's had is just incredible. He's an instant legend here and a huge part of our success this weekend,” Hill said. 

E’Lexis Hollis claimed national runner-up in the 100 meters, running 11.10 in prelims and 11.25 in the final to earn First Team All-American honors. She also qualified for the 200-meter final with 23.20 and placed sixth in 23.27, securing another First Team All-American title. 

“She has worked hard at her race plan and is executing better and better. It was amazing watching her put things together here and now. She leaves this weekend with two more First Team All-American awards, a new GNAC record and three new school records. Simply amazing watching her compete this weekend and the grit she exhibited,” Hill said.  

Lauryn McGough placed 10th in the women's pole vault with 3.92 meters, earning Second Team All-American honors. Ashlyn Nielsen, E'Lexis Hollis, Elise Hopper, and Zoe Gonzales powered the women's 4x100 meter relay team to a 44.76 finish in the prelims, earning a spot in the final and setting new CWU and GNAC records. 

The Wildcats await their chance to be selected for the 2025 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, taking place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. The meet runs from Saturday, June 1, through Monday, June 30.