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Vincennes University

Trailblazers Prepare for NJCAA Outdoor National Championships

Trailblazers Prepare for NJCAA Outdoor National Championships
May 12, 2026

HOBBS, N.M. — Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field will close the outdoor season May 14–16 at the NJCAA Outdoor National Championships, hosted by New Mexico Junior College, as the Trailblazers send a deep group of qualifiers into the nation's top junior college meet.

The Trailblazers enter the national meet following a strong outdoor campaign that saw both the men's and women's teams finish atop the Atlantic Region standings. VU will look to build off its success at the NJCAA Indoor National Championships in March, where the men finished tied for 18th nationally and the women placed 17th overall. Entering the outdoor championships, the VU men are ranked 21st nationally, while the women sit 16th in the latest national rankings.

First-year Head Coach Michael Mangan believes the group is prepared for the challenge ahead. "This group has continued to improve throughout the season, and we're excited to see them compete on the national stage," Mangan said. "A lot of these athletes are freshmen gaining valuable championship experience, and we've positioned ourselves well heading into the week."

Men

The men's distance group will once again lead the way for VU, highlighted by freshman Iheb Slimani and sophomore Anis Abdaoui in the 1500 meters. Slimani enters the meet ranked fourth nationally with a school-record 3:45.63, while Abdaoui sits eighth nationally at 3:46.53, ranking second in program history.

Both athletes also qualified in the 5000 meters, where Slimani enters as the No. 2 seed nationally with a school-record 14:10.83, while Abdaoui ranks 17th nationally at 14:39.93, second in VU history. Freshman Youssef Dridi also qualified in the event with a 15:10.84, ranking ninth in program history.

Distance Coach Tyler Steigenga noted the versatility of the group heading into championship racing. "Iheb and Anis showed indoors they can handle tactical championship races, but they've also proven throughout the season they can run fast if the pace goes out aggressively," Steigenga said. "The heat and elevation will challenge everyone, but we've prepared for that and feel good about where they're at heading into the meet."

Sophomore Lane Connaway also qualified in the 10,000 meters with a season-best 33:35.13, entering ranked 19th nationally.

The men's 4x400 relay enters the event ranked 21st nationally with a season-best 3:18.21. The relay group includes sophomore Devin Wilson, sophomore ArTezz Butler-Sanders, freshman Jacob Kusbel, and freshman Travon Lane. Mangan believes the relay group is positioned for another strong performance. "The guys have continued to improve throughout the season, and we feel like there's still another step there for them," Mangan said. "They're capable of putting together their best race of the year at the right time."

In the field events, freshman Logan Tucker qualified in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.50 meters, entering ranked 13th nationally, while freshman Nate Robertson enters the discus ranked 11th nationally with a mark of 49.45 meters, third-best in program history. "Nate has put himself in position to compete for All-American honors," Mangan said. "The discus field is extremely close, and one big throw can change everything."

Women

The women's distance group enters nationals with several opportunities to score significant points, led by freshman Ikram Dorai and freshman Elizabeth Smith in the 10,000 meters. Dorai enters as the No. 2 seed nationally with a school-record 35:04.71, while Smith ranks eighth nationally at 38:29.21, third in program history. Sophomore Alexis Hale also qualified in the event with a mark of 41:45.41, ranking 15th nationally and eighth in VU history.

Steigenga emphasized the challenge the women's distance group will face competing in the New Mexico heat and elevation. "The 10K is one of the biggest opportunities for us to score points," Steigenga said. "It'll still be difficult conditions even racing early in the morning, especially with the elevation, but Ikram and Liz (Smith) have put themselves in a great position heading into the week."

Dorai and Smith will also compete in the 5000 meters, where Dorai enters fourth nationally with a school-record 17:01.45, while Smith ranks 15th nationally at 17:48.31, third in program history.

In the 1500 meters, sophomore Sarra Belgacem enters ranked 16th nationally with a personal-best 4:48.83, fourth in program history, while freshman Madison Senne sits 22nd nationally after a breakout outdoor season that saw her lower her personal best to 4:54.39, eighth in program history. "Madison has made huge strides this outdoor season," Steigenga said. "She's taken her racing to another level over the last couple months and continues to improve every week."

In the field events, freshman Kapri Granger enters the pole vault as the No. 3 seed nationally with a clearance of 3.75 meters, fourth in school history. Granger will compete in the same event in which she earned National Runner-Up honors during the indoor season. Freshman McKenna Poyser also qualified in the event with a mark of 3.16 meters, entering ranked 15th nationally and making VU one of only two programs nationally with two automatic qualifiers in the women's pole vault.

"Kapri has continued to improve throughout the season and is ready to compete for a national title," Mangan said. "Having two automatic qualifiers in the event speaks to the growth of our vault group this year."

Freshman Greer Hardin qualified in the high jump with a clearance of 1.56 meters, entering the meet ranked 17th nationally and sixth in program history after earning indoor All-American honors earlier this year.

Freshman Elena Gabellini will compete in the hammer throw, entering nationals ranked fifth nationally with a mark of 50.89 meters, second-best in program history.

Freshman Brielle Seiler also qualified in the 400-meter hurdles, entering ranked 25th nationally with a time of 1:05.22, which ranks third in program history.

The Trailblazers open competition Thursday, May 14 in Hobbs, New Mexico, looking to cap a strong 2026 campaign with another successful showing on the national stage.

Join the Journey

As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field squads all year long through a number of ways: