Vikings make history at 2025 NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships

Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s women¡¯s track and field program turned in a historic performance at the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships, highlighted by an individual national title, seven All-Americans and a record-breaking team finish.

Frere claims second national title

Charlotte Frere ¡¯26 from Preemption, Ill., won her second consecutive national championship in the discus with a throw of 48.35 meters, becoming the first woman in Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø history to win two national track and field titles.

Including both indoor and outdoor seasons, Frere now owns the fifth national title for the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s women¡¯s track and field program.

¡°One thing I felt was a sense of peace and relief,¡± Frere said. ¡°Knowing all the time and sacrifices were worth it ... it gives me not only joy and happiness, but also gratitude for everyone and everything that helped me find that success.¡±

Women¡¯s team earns best national finish

The Vikings placed fifth nationally, the highest team finish in women¡¯s track and field program history. Five athletes earned top-eight finishes, and seven Vikings were named All-Americans, the most for the program in 32 years.

¡°All of us were fortunate this year to be witness and part of a generational group of women here at Augie,¡± said Chad Gunnelson, director of track and field and cross country. ¡°This team created an environment to thrive, and it turned into the best-ever national team finish.¡±

All-American honors

The Vikings' accomplishments translated to individual accolades as well, with a strong showing of All-American performances on both the women¡¯s and men¡¯s teams.

Women's Team

• Heather Michalski ¡¯25 of North Aurora, Ill., placed fifth in the shot put to earn First Team honors.
• Laina Nelson ¡¯27 of Milan, Ill., finished ninth in the javelin, earning Second Team recognition.
• Lina Maatouk ¡¯25 of Casablanca, Morocco, placed fourth in the 800m to earn First Team status.
• McKenzie Reser ¡¯25 of Sycamore, Ill., was the national runner-up in the 400m and also finished fifth in the 200m, earning First Team honors in both events.
• Graduate student Emma Odle of Inverness, Ill., placed 11th in the 3,000m steeplechase to secure Second Team honors for the second consecutive season.

Men¡¯s Team

• AJ Banks ¡¯27 of Freeburg, Ill., placed 14th in the 110m hurdles to earn Second Team status, the first Viking in the event to do so since 1988.
• Mike Hudson, a fifth-year student from Milton, Ga., earned Second Team honors in the decathlon, Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s first in the event since 1996.
• Joe Langridge ¡¯25 of Des Plaines, Ill., finished 12th in the 3,000m steeplechase, earning Second Team recognition.