The College of DuPage track and field programs delivered a historic performance May 7-9 at the NJCAA Division III Track & Field Championships at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York.
The Chaparrals completed the elusive "Double Natty," with both the men's and women's programs capturing national championships.
The men's program claimed its sixth consecutive national title, continuing one of the most dominant runs in junior college track and field history. DuPage totaled 167 points, finishing well ahead of runner-up Hudson Valley Community College, which scored 109 points.
The women's team secured its second consecutive national championship and fourth title since 2021. The Chaparrals scored 142.5 points, edging runner-up Mineral Area College's 132.5 points.
Kailee Rodeck highlighted the weekend by winning the women's pole vault national championship and setting a new NJCAA meet record with a vault of 3.60 meters.
The success in pole vault continued on the men's side, where sophomore
William Kallas broke a 24-year-old NJCAA meet record with a vault of 5.03 meters to win the national championship by more than half a meter.
Dionte Shaw also captured an individual national championship in the discus with a throw of 45.76 meters. Shaw delivered the winning mark on his fifth attempt, surpassing 150 feet.
DuPage's men's 4x100 relay team of
Peter Ogunleye,
Jaylin Miller,
Owen Fitzgerald and
Kevin Myrick captured a national title by edging Harper College by two-tenths of a second.
The Chaparrals also won the men's 4x800 relay as
Jacob Skibbie,
Matthew Wick,
Jack Schultz and Royce Krush posted a winning time of 8:14.34, defeating Joliet Junior College by 1.6 seconds.
Numerous Chaparrals earned All-American honors throughout the meet with top-eight finishes across track, field and relay events.
Women
Track Events
- Klaudia Sztafa — 6th, 100m Dash (13.26)
- Klaudia Sztafa — 6th, 200m Dash (27.17)
- Allison Browne — 5th, 400m Dash (1:03.06)
- Maya Hannum — 3rd, 800m Run (2:30.34)
- Maureen Bluemle — 3rd, 1500m Run (5:14.53)
- Maureen Bluemle — 6th, 5000m Run (20:11.94)
- Elena Kosorog — 8th, 5000m Run (20:21.46)
- Elena Kosorog — 3rd, 10000m Run (44:29.64)
- Samantha Blankenship — 4th, 10000m Run (45:28.50)
- Agata Valuzis — 5th, 100m Hurdles (17.94)
- Allison Browne — 8th, 100m Hurdles (19.75)
- Allison Browne — 7th, 400m Hurdles (1:15.73)
- Agata Valuzis — 8th, 400m Hurdles (1:16.31)
- Samantha Blankenship — 4th, 3000m Steeplechase (13:27.39)
Relays
- 4x100 Relay — 6th (56.48)
- 4x400 Relay — 2nd (4:20.59)
- 4x800 Relay — 2nd (10:53.68)
Field Events
Throwing Events
Multi-Events
Men
Track Events
- Jaylin Miller — 3rd, 100m Dash (11.38)
- Jaylin Miller — 2nd, 200m Dash (22.45)
- Kevin Myrick — 4th, 200m Dash (22.70)
- William Kallas — 2nd, 400m Dash (49.59)
- Royce Krush — 3rd, 800m Run (1:59.45)
- Jacob Skibbie — 5th, 800m Run (2:01.61)
- Jack Schultz — 8th, 1500m Run (4:21.65)
- Kevin Diederich — 6th, 5000m Run (16:04.01)
- Brendan Spahn — 7th, 5000m Run (16:04.37)
- Kevin Diederich — 3rd, 10000m Run (33:40.41)
- Brendan Spahn — 6th, 10000m Run (34:35.91)
- Benjamin Butcher — 8th, 400m Hurdles (1:04.65)
- Brendan Spahn — 3rd, 3000m Steeplechase (10:32.63)
- Zachary Kahsen — 5th, 3000m Steeplechase (10:43.01)
Relays
- 4x100 Relay — 1st Place
- 4x800 Relay — 1st Place
Multi-Events
Field Events
Pole Vault
Long Jump
Triple Jump
Shot Put
- Jai'shawn Morris — 1st, Shot Put (14.69m / 48-2½)
- Tayo Taiwo — 3rd, Shot Put (14.12m / 46-4)
- Dionte Shaw — 4th, Shot Put (13.89m / 45-7)
Discus Throw
Hammer Throw
- John Tarpeh — 3rd, Hammer Throw (49.26m / 161-7)
- Tayo Taiwo — 4th, Hammer Throw (47.79m / 156-9)
- Jorge Magdeleno — 5th, Hammer Throw (42.34m)
Javelin Throw
Head coach
Mallory Dominguez was named 2026 Coach of the Year for both programs after the title performances from both teams. She praised the efforts of everyone involved in the program following the championship performances.
"We are very proud — Double Natty champs with the women going back-to-back and the men winning six straight," Dominguez said. "This caps off a year of going first, first, first and second, with the women winning cross country and the men finishing runner-up in cross country.
"What people don't see behind the results is how much it takes from everyone involved to build a successful program. From our athletic trainer Emily, who keeps our athletes healthy, to our driver Wayne, to our coaching staff and administration, to our academic advisor Emily, and all of these amazing coaches on our staff who go above and beyond for our athletes—it truly takes a village."
"What I am most proud of is the character, sportsmanship and grit our athletes displayed throughout the year. Being on this team is about much more than the outcome. It's a family that I'm proud to be a part of."
The championships marked the 51st and 52nd national titles in College of DuPage athletics history.
