Lakehawk Track & Field Shines at NJCAA Indoor Championships
LUBBOCK, Tex. (Track & Field) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) track & field teams made an impressive debut at the 2025 Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships. The event was hosted by Texas Tech University at The Sports Performance Center on March 7-8.
While other sports separate into Divisions I, II, and III, indoor track and field does not have divisional classifications. Traditionally, Lake-Sumter classifies at the Division II level, making the team's first appearance at the national level a great achievement.
The Lakehawks took seven student-athletes to compete in eight events. Lake-Sumter was represented in the men's and women's long jump, men's and women's 400m, men's 400m, women's triple jump, and the men's 4x800m.
Overall, the Lakehawks posted five personal records (PR) and set four indoor school records at the event, as well as debuting the 4x800m relay team.
Friday, March 7
Competition kicked off with Jaden Miller (Long Jump), Oksanna Smith (400m), Spencer Palmer and William Petersen (800m), Kenyon Wells (400m), and Devonte Hanson (Long Jump) all competing in their respective events.
Among the standout performances, Miller delivered her second-best performance of the season in the long jump. She earned a 16th place finish with a mark of 5.30m (17' 4.25").
Smith had a breakthrough race in the 400m, breaking the one-minute barrier with a time of 59.29. Her finish put her in 23rd place with a new school record in the event.
"Smith is an incredibly talented athlete whose main event is in the hurdles, and I am excited to see her progress through the outdoor season," said Head Coach Cristy Snellgroves on Smith's performance.
Palmer showed resilience in the 800m, overcoming an early race setback when he was tripped and forced into lane 2. Despite the disruption, he fought back to set a PR and school record of 1:54.49, finishing in 18th place.
Petersen also logged a significant PR with a time of 1:57.99, a big drop from his time of 2:03 as a freshman and his previous best of 1:59.26 earlier in the 2025 indoor season. His time was good for sixth in the Lakehawk record book in the indoor 800m.
"Petersen has been feeling so much stronger thanks to the strength training program designed by, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Sophie Capitanelli, and it has shown in his racing," shared Coach Snellgroves.
Wells has proved versality in the sport this year. Primarily a hurdler, he stepped up for the team in the 4x800m relay.
Wells ran a strong 400m, pushing through with speed and control in the final stretch for a PR and new school record of 50.38.
Hanson has demonstrated potential in the long jump, gaining valuable experience on the national stage. His mark of 6.59m, while not a personal best, highlighted his ability to compete at a high level.
Saturday, March 8
The action continued on Saturday with Miller (Triple Jump), and Lake-Sumter's 4x800m relay team taking the track.
Miller displayed another strong performance for the Lakehawks in the triple jump, recording a PR and setting a new school record with a mark of 10.68m.
"Jaden has been working on her technique, and as she refines her approach, the jumps will only get bigger," said Coach Snellgroves.
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend came in the 4x800m relay, where Lake-Sumter finished 11th place with a time of 7:55.09. Each runner played a crucial role in securing this result:
- Petersen led off with a strong opening leg, setting the tone and keeping the team in contention
- Thatcher Clarke followed, maintaining the team's competitive position before handing off to Wells, who ran a solid third leg to put the team in striking distance
- Palmer anchored the relay. After running an impressive 1:52.9 split, showing his closing speed and mental strength under pressure
"I am so proud of this team. They represented the College with honor, competing hard, supporting each other, and showing what we are building here at Lake-Sumter."
"We are in the early stages of establishing a championship culture in track & field, and these athletes are laying the foundation for what's to come. They are performing at a high level, not just in competition, but also in academics, truly setting the standard for what this program will be."
"This group has shown resilience, versatility, and commitment, and I know the best is yet to come," said Coach Snellgroves.
The indoor track & field top-10 record books have been updated. Access the men's record book here and the women's record book here.
With the indoor season reaching its conclusion, the team is eager to carry this momentum into the 2025 outdoor season.
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