February 2, 2026
Sakat Sets Natinoal Lead in the 5000m and Mile
TOPEKA, Kan. - Sophomore Juliana Sakat put on a masterclass performance this weekend at the Washburn Open, winning the 5000m in 16:34.60 to set the 2nd fastest time in NJCAA history.
Sakat, who already holds the national record, won the meet and set the national lead. She also set the Facility, Meet and school record in the mile in 4:44.76 to take the national lead and solidify the 2nd fastest time in NJCAA history.
Yman Ossie Tchiengue won the high jump to set a meet record and improve her national lead with a 1.80m. She becomes the #5 performer in NJCAA history. Khadijiah Bailey hit the national qualifier as well with a mark of 1.65m
Angel Lopez won the men's high jump with a national qualifying 2.04m. This was also a huge personal best for Lopez and the first collegiate win of his career.
Miguel Angel Lopez Carranza ran a 14:14.29 to register the 2nd fastest time in the nation, and 3rd fastest time in school history to finish 3rd
Lebon Attoungbre increased his national lead in the triple jump, finishing 2nd in 15.86m. Jacob Smetzer had a big personal best to qualify for nationals with a 14.59m, good for the #9 mark in the nation.
Cyril Sumner posted the #9 time in the NJCAA with a 47.55, which was good for 9th place.
Moustafa Tiea ran the 2nd fastest time in school history en route to a 3rd place finish in the Men's 600y with a 1:10.80. He also hit a national qualifier in the 800m in 1:53.32.
Mary Laha ran a personal best in the 60 hurdles in 8.68 to finish 6th and move to 7th in school history and move to 6th in the nation.
Alyssa Kulesa ran a great race in the 600y to finish 11th with a 1:28.27 and set a personal best in the 800m with a 2:19.02.
Elizabeth Ewusie ran a 4:59.50 in the mile to move to #4 in the nation and 4th in school history. She also ran a pr in the 800m in 2:18.85.
Lovely Hibbert finished 5th in the shot put with a toss of 13.17m.
Natasha Lynch finished 7th in the weight throw with a new personal best 15.99m to move to #6 in the nation.
Koen Zandvliet had a personal best in the weight throw with a toss of 16.56m, followed by Rajay Hemmings 15.58m.
Arthur Leandro de Sousa finished 3rd in the shot put with a 16.90m.
Taj Wilson jumped a personal best in the long jump, leaping out to 6.90m to finish in 8th place.
The Men's 4x400m relay closed out the meet with a 4th-place 3:13.45 effort. Keone John, Cyril Sumner, Joshua Perry, and Jordan Edwards.
Next up, the squad will head to Maryville, Missouri, where Northwest Missouri State will host the Bearcat Invitational February 6-7.