T-Bird (W-T&F) Ends 2025 Season in 3rd Place at Outdoor Championships
The NMJC women's track & field team finished in third place at the 2025 NJCAA DI Women's Outdoor T&F Championships on Saturday, May 17 in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Iowa Western CC won the team national title with a score of 98 points. Barton County placed second with a team score of 90.33. The Thunderbirds came 14 points short of the Iowa Western Reivers in third with a team total of 84 points.
"Over the course of the outdoor season, we were gearing up for a 3-peat attempt," NMJC women's track & field head coach Kathleen Raske said. "The outdoor season went well, as we broke three school records, tabbed 28 new all-time top ten marks, a national athlete of the week, and 90% lifetime bests achieved. We went into the national meet without a few key athletes and that hurt us, but I was very proud to take home a trophy and remain in the top 3 as a team, have two national champions, and 22 All-Americans."
The Thunderbirds finished Saturday with eight new All-Americans and ended the meet with 14 individual All-Americans, two individual national champions, and two relay All-American squads (eight relay athletes).
Sophomore Tania Millena Ancelmo Da Silva and freshman Tiana Petrova went back-to-back for indoor and outdoor in their respective events this week to add two new individual national champions to the program.
"Remaining undefeated in NJCAA for her two-year career, Tania da Silva defended her title once again in dramatic fashion," Coach Raske said. "After fouling her first 2 throws in the hammer throw, she made the adjustments she needed to make and ended up on top which shows she is a competitor who doesn't panic and stays the course. She sets an example to all our team on how serious she is as a competitor and rising to the challenge no matter what. Super proud of her!"
"I have been very impressed with Tiana Petrova and her consistency in her mental game," Coach Raske said. "Performing when it counts the most is what all athletes strive for and she sets the bar for everyone on our team, especially because she is just a freshman. I am so happy for her to repeat in the high jump and know that she can handle what comes next year!"
Jody Ann Mitchell was the women's team's top performer on Saturday scoring eight points individually. Mitchell ran a 2:07.36 in 800m to finish as the national runner-up. The sophomore ended her Thunderbird career as an eight-time All-American.
Nandy Kihuyu broke the 53 second barrier for the first time in her career, running a 52.99 in the 400m final to finish in third place. Kihuyu finished her Thunderbird career as a six-time All-American and school record holder in the indoor 400m.
Bruna Vieira de Jesus threw 46.98m in the javelin to record a third-place finish at nationals. Vieira de Jesus scored six points in the javelin and is now a two-time All-American in the event.
Yosiris Cordoba threw 50.58m in the discus to finish as an All-American in third place and add six points to the team total. Cordoba ended her career as a two-time All-American owning the school record in the discus.
Sofia Mosquera Rodriquez leapt 12.07m in the triple jump to score four points. The fifth-place finish was her second All-American distinction of the meet.
Athilia Pryce competed in the discus alongside Cordoba and threw 48.82m to finish in fifth place. Pryce picked up four points and ended her freshman season as a three-time All-American.
The mile relay team of Tuwana McLean, Ysanne Peart, Jody Ann Mitchell and Nandy Kihuyu ran a 3:42.45 in the 4x400m relay to finish in sixth place. The squad's vital three points in the final race of the day was the difference in maintaining a podium finish over fourth place Cloud County.
Emilly Silva finished the 800m in 2:09.19 to place seventh overall in the race and earn two points. Silva finished her sophomore track season as a six-time All-American.
Wrapping up the season is always a tough job especially for a coach who was in her first season with the program.
"I quickly got attached to each one of these ladies and I am very sad to say goodbye to our sophomores," Coach Raske said. "I believe they are better prepared for transitioning into NCAA due to how I manage the team being a former D1 director of 25 years and know that they will all do really well in their next steps."
The USTFCCCA Regional Awards were announced on Saturday with the T-Bird earning a coach of the year honor. Coach Kathleen Raske was named the Women's West Region Coach of the Year.
"I was very proud of all those whom I've directly coached in my event areas (sprint/hurdles/relays-both men and women) as 95% had achieved lifetime personal bests, with several record breaking performances," Coach Raske said. "Athlete development is very important to me, not just athletically, but also academically, and personally. I am humbled and grateful for the student athletes and how they put their trust in me as their coach, from the world class talent to the beginner."
"Many thanks to Coach Terry VanLaningham who stepped in and coached all the throwers this outdoor season to new lifetime bests, in addition to his jumpers, all who had a great season. Thanks to fellow coach Jeff Becker for helping me transition into both NMJC and the NJCAA systems."
The Thunderbirds finished the track & field season with a third-place finish in both outdoor and indoor during the 2025.
