Hawkeye Track & Field Posts Breakthrough Performances at Region XI Indoor Championships

Hawkeye Track & Field Posts Breakthrough Performances at Region XI Indoor Championships
February 26, 2026

The RedTails traveled to Storm Lake on February 20-21, losing out on the 2026 indoor season with a great performance at the NJCAA Region XI Indoor Championships. 

RedTail Women's Team Highlights 

Middle-Distance 

  • Sophomore Mallori Jones delivered one of the top performances of the weekend:

    • Earning runner‑up in the 800m with a massive PR of 2:18.89.

    • Earning another PR in the 600m, placing thirdin 1:38.90.

  • Freshman Cecilia Smith also dropped a PR in the 600m, in 2:26.29. 

  • Roselle Wardell added a gritty performance in the 3000m, placing seventh!

Throws

The throws squad delivered one of Hawkeye's strongest collective showings of the meet.

  • Riley Goddard delivered one of the biggest highlights of the meet:

    • Region XI Champion in the weight throw with a winning toss of 16.14m

    • Adding a fourth‑place finish in the shot put with 11.07m.

  • Kailan McEwen was equally impressive, finishing second in the shot put, with 12.52m. And third in the weight throw (15.25m), combining for 14 points.

RedTail Men's Team Highlights 

Sprints

The RedTail sprint crew opened the meet with a statement in the 60m, placing three athletes inside the top 10 of prelims:

Cayden Stevenson led the long sprints: 

  • With a PR of 23.36 in the 200m.

  • 55.03 in the 400m. 

Multi Events

Sophomore Ryan Leonard put together a full slate of competitive marks in the heptathlon, highlighted by:

  • 6.44m long jump (NJCAA #81)

  • 1.72m high jump (NJCAA #77)

  • 3.40m pole vault (NJCAA #52)

  • 7.35 60m (SB)

  • 9.78 60H (SB, NJCAA #91)

  • 10.47m shot put

  • 3:23.89 1000m (SB)

Field Events

  • Leonard also doubled back to place 3rd in the open pole vault with 3.30m, adding another NJCAA top‑60 mark.

  • Eric Neipert added a top 10 finish in the Shot Put with 12.99m.

  • Logan Scafferi threw a PR of 10.31m in the Weight Throw.

Coach Gordon shared how proud he was of both the men's and women's teams following their performances at the Region 11 Indoor Championships.

"I'm incredibly proud of the way our Red Tail women competed at the Region 11 Indoor Championships. Riley Goddard led the way with a championship performance in the weight throw and added a fourth-place finish in the shot put. Kailan McEwen had a strong meet as well, placing second in the shot put and third in the weight throw. Mallori Jones continues to elevate her level, hitting two personal bests while finishing second in the 800 meters and third in the 600 meters. All three women have earned the opportunity to compete at the NJCAA National Championships in Topeka next week."

On the men's side, he added, "Ryan Leonard delivered a big performance, finishing second in the heptathlon and third in the pole vault. He's earned his spot at nationals in the heptathlon, and we're excited to see what he can do on the national stage."