ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Powered by one of the most dominant individual performances in NAIA history from Sydney Duncan, the IU Kokomo women's track and field team recorded the highest national finish in program history with a fourth-place finish at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
The Cougars totaled 30 team points across the three-day national meet, with Duncan accounting for all 30 points after capturing national championships in the hammer throw, shot put, and discus. Her historic week also earned her NAIA Outdoor Championships Most Valuable Performer honors.
Entering the national meet projected to score just 16 points, IU Kokomo nearly doubled its expected total and earned one of the four team trophies awarded at the national championships. The Cougars finished fourth behind only British Columbia, Cumberlands (Ky.), and Dickinson State (N.D.), while also placing ahead of Life (Ga.) and indoor national champion Marian (Ind.).
IU Kokomo accomplished the historic finish while qualifying just two women for the national championships. Alongside Duncan, freshman Mia Bustos represented the Cougars in shot put and narrowly missed advancing to the finals after finishing 10th overall, just one spot shy of qualification. Bustos also concluded her freshman season as the second-best freshman shot put competitor in the NAIA.
IU Kokomo's fourth-place finish marked not only the best national finish in program history, but also the highest finish ever achieved by a River States Conference member institution in cross country or track and field championship history.
Duncan opened the meet with a national title in the hammer throw before adding another championship in shot put and closing the week with a discus national title. The junior became one of the most decorated athletes in NAIA competition while elevating the Cougars onto the national stage in historic fashion.
The historic finish caps another milestone season for IU Kokomo women's track and field and further establishes the program among the NAIA's rising contenders.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
