The College of DuPage men's and women's track & field teams sent four student-athletes to Washburn University to compete in the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Topeka, Kansas.
DuPage qualified athletes in the pole vault with William Kallas and Kailee Rodeck earning national marks after a record-breaking indoor season. The Chaps also sent two throwers on the men's side, Jai'shawn Morris and Tayo Taiwo. Both Morris and Taiwo competed in the shot put, while Taiwo also participated in the weight throw.
The NJCAA Indoor Championships do not utilize divisions, meaning all institutions compete at the same level, a contrast to NJCAA outdoor track and field where Division I, II, and III programs are separated.
In the women's pole vault, freshman Kailee Rodeck placed fourth with a vault of 3.60 meters (11 feet, 9¾ inches). Rodeck was the highest finishing Division III athlete in the event.
On the men's side, William Kallas also placed fourth in the pole vault with a mark of 4.78 meters (15 feet, 8¼ inches). Kallas was the highest-ranked Division III pole vaulter at the meet.
Both Kallas and Rodeck earned All-American honors with their fourth-place finishes.
In the shot put, Jai'shawn Morris finished 13th with a throw of 14.45 meters (47 feet, 5 inches). Tayo Taiwo placed 16th with a mark of 14.25 meters (46 feet, 9 inches). Taiwo also finished 20th in the weight throw with a toss of 14.95 meters (49 feet, ¾ inch).
Morris and Taiwo were the only throwers from a Division III outdoor program competing at the Indoor Championships.
Head coach Mallory Dominguez praised the team's performance after competing at the national level.
"We are extremely proud of all four athletes. To all finish top 20 in NJCAA Division I competition is amazing. I know all four wanted more, and that's a testament to how great of athletes they are because they are always looking to improve and be the best they can be. Two fourth-place All-Americans in the vault is amazing. Kailee is only a freshman and we know she hasn't even scratched the surface of her potential yet. Will was seventh last year, so his improvement to fourth shows the hard work he put in. Tayo finished top 20 in both weight and shot after not even qualifying for this meet last year, and Jaishawn being only a freshman and finishing 13th is impressive."
