Cedar Falls, Iowa: UNI Track and Field Athletes Set for NCAA West Preliminary Meet

Last week at the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the Northern Iowa (UNI) Panthers achieved third-place finishes for both men’s and women’s teams. Following the competition, a total of 15 athletes from UNI have earned spots at the NCAA West Preliminary Meet, which is an important stepping stone towards the national championships.

The NCAA Preliminary Meets, happening from May 28 to May 31, 2025, will take place at two locations: College Station, Texas, hosted by Texas A&M University, and Jacksonville, Florida, hosted by the University of North Florida. The athletes who qualify for these meets are typically ranked in the top-48 for individual events and top-24 for relay events within their respective regions. Notably, those competing in multi-event competitions like the heptathlon and decathlon will not participate at these preliminary sites, as the top-24 ranked athletes in the country automatically qualify for the finals.

A standout achievement for UNI includes four athletes who became 2025 MVC outdoor champions. Among them are Katie Fare in the women’s shot put and Brendan Safley in the men’s pole vault, both of whom were recognized as the Most Outstanding Field Athletes during the conference championships. They are joined by Justice Miller in men’s javelin and Carlie Jo Fusco in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.

Additional competitors from UNI include a trio of men in the shot put: David Russell, Spencer Kessel, and Carson Lienau. In the men’s 800 meters, Drake Hanson and Chase Knoche have also qualified. Another talented athlete, Emma Hoins, has advanced in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, while Josie Moreland will participate in the women’s high jump.

In a collaborative effort, the Panthers will also compete in the men’s 4×400-meter relay with athletes Zack Butcher, Hanson, Parker Kiewiet, and Jake Bosch, alongside alternates Zach Fall and Knoche.

Fans can look forward to live coverage of the event on ESPN+. For those wanting to keep up with UNI track and field, updates are available on their social media channels, including Facebook, X, and Instagram, as well as on their official site.

As these athletes prepare for the crucial NCAA West Preliminary Meet, they aim for top-12 finishes, which would secure their spots at the national championship in Eugene, Oregon, scheduled for June 11-14, 2025.