NEW ORLEANS, La. - For the second consecutive season, IU Kokomo thrower Sydney Duncan has been recognized as one of the top field athletes in the nation, earning the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Great Lakes Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year award, announced this week by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Duncan, a native of Anderson, Indiana and graduate of Frankton High School, adds yet another prestigious honor to an already historic career after also earning the same distinction during the 2026 indoor season and following the 2025 outdoor campaign.

The Cougar standout once again dominated the NAIA ranks in the throwing events throughout the 2026 outdoor season, highlighted by a season-best shot put mark of 17.18 meters, a throw that currently ranks sixth nationally all-time in NAIA history. Duncan captured six shot put event titles during the outdoor season and continued to establish herself as one of the premier throwers across all collegiate levels.

According to the USTFCCCA release, Duncan also registered three additional all-time NAIA top-10 marks this season while continuing her dominance following an outstanding indoor campaign that saw her complete the throwing double at the River States Conference Indoor Championships, including a meet-record toss of 18.55 meters (60-10½) in the weight throw.

Sydney now heads into this week's NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships as one of the favorites to once again bring home national titles for the Cougars. Duncan enters the national meet seeded first in shot put, fourth in discus, and eighth in hammer throw.

Her decorated national championship résumé already includes the 2025 NAIA Indoor National Championship in Shot Put, the 2025 NAIA Outdoor National Championship in Shot Put, and the 2026 NAIA Indoor National Championship in Shot Put. Duncan also earned national runner-up honors in discus at the 2025 outdoor national championships, further showcasing her versatility across the throwing events.

Over the course of her career, Duncan has continued to cement herself among the greatest athletes in IU Kokomo track and field history, consistently competing at an elite national level while rewriting both school and NAIA record books.

The 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships will take place later this week in Asheville, North Carolina, hosted by UNC Asheville.

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