Women's track and field team clinches inaugural victory at NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships
In a bone-crushing victory, the MIT women's track and field squad claimed the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Championship at the SPIRE Institute on May 24th. This triumph marked the team's inaugural NCAA women's outdoor track and field national title, edging out Washington University and the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse with 56, 47, and 38 points respectively.
The Championship showcased some breathtaking individual performances. Alexis Boykin, the team's powerhouse, notched her eighth career national title in the shot put, shattering the NCAA record. Additionally, Boykin snatched third place in the discus with a hurling distance of 45.12m (148' 0"). Emily Ball didn't disappoint either, landing a seventh-place finish in the discus with a mark of 41.90m (137' 5")[1][3][5].
The team's dominance was further amplified by nine All-America honors spread across six events, with their very first relay national championship in the 4x400m serving a significant blow to competitors[4]. The team's trophy cabinet now houses all three NCAA Division III titles for cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track and field, a first for any women's program in the same year[3][4].
Individual achievements poured in:- Katelyn Howard leaped into fifth place in the pole vault, soaring to 3.85m (12' 7.5").- Elaine Wang tossed her javelin a respectable 40.44m (132' 8") to secure an eighth-place finish.- Kate Sanderson raced to a personal best of 34:48.601 in the 10,000m, notching herself a fourth-place spot on the podium.
On day two, Boykin smashed the NCAA Division III women's shot put all-time record with a triumphant throw of 16.80m (55' 1/2"), capturing her eighth career national championship. The team continued to dominate with Liv Girand securing her first All-America honor in the 3,000m Steeplechase, crossing the finish line in 10th place[2].
The championship concluded with an electrifying 4x400m relay race. The MIT team, consisting of Olivia Dias, Shreya Kalyan, Krystal Montgomery, and Marina Miller, clinched the team title with a thrilling victory, propelling MIT into the history books of women's track and field.
The MIT women's track and field squad's dominance was not limited to team events, as individual athletes also shone brightly. Alexis Boykin, the team's powerhouse, not only clinched her eighth career national title in the shot put but also set a new NCAA record. On the other hand, sports enthusiasts witnessed breathtaking performances in the 4x400m relay race, where the MIT team, including Emily Ball, Kate Sanderson, and others, proved their mettle and etched their names in the history books of women's sports.
