WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College wrapped up its 2026 men's and women's track and field seasons with continued development across multiple events and a pair of KCAC all-conference honorees leading the way.
Freshman JJ Crawford earned All-KCAC Honorable Mention recognition after producing one of the Moundbuilders' top all-around seasons on the men's side. Crawford posted a season-best long jump of 7.00 meters (22 feet, 11.75 inches) at the Zach Kindler Invitational before following with a string of strong performances at the KCAC Outdoor Championships, including jumps of 6.89 meters and 6.87 meters. He also turned in a top triple jump mark of 13.29 meters (43-7.25) and reached 42.76 meters (140-3) in the javelin at the Coyote Classic.
On the women's side, sophomore thrower Malia Pearson collected All-KCAC Honorable Mention honors after a breakout campaign in the throws. Pearson highlighted her season with a discus throw of 37.13 meters (121-10) at the KCAC Outdoor Championships while also recording a season-best hammer throw of 36.45 meters (119-7) and a shot put mark of 10.80 meters (35-5.25).
Southwestern also leaned heavily on a veteran senior class that helped guide the program throughout the season.
Distance runner Jack Titgemeyer closed his career with a season-best 2:14.39 in the 800 meters at the Tabor Invite and added a 13:25.20 finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Friends University Spring Invitational.
Jamell Sanchez contributed in both middle-distance events, posting times of 2:26.11 in the 800 meters and 4:58.43 in the 1,500 meters during the outdoor campaign.
Senior high jumper Lyrix Howard provided consistency in the field events, clearing a season-best 1.73 meters (5-8) at the Tabor Invite while competing throughout the spring schedule.
On the women's side, Lauryn Peterson capped her collegiate career by leading Southwestern in the middle-distance events. Peterson recorded a season-best 3:04.26 in the 800 meters and a top 1,500-meter time of 6:24.77 at the Friends University Spring Invitational.
Senior thrower Vanessa Mendoza also concluded a strong career for the Moundbuilders, highlighted by a discus throw of 34.52 meters (113-3) and a hammer throw of 38.32 meters (125-9) during the outdoor season.
The Moundbuilders also received strong performances throughout the season from freshman sprinter Ben Patkowski, who ran a season-best 10.94 in the 100 meters, Manuel Reyes in the hurdles with a top 15.83 in the 110 hurdles, and Dominique Orosco, who clocked a 22.36 in the 200 meters.
Southwestern closed the year at the 2026 KCAC Outdoor Championships after competing throughout the spring at meets including the Dean Pryor Invite, Friends University Spring Invitational, Tabor Invite, Coyote Classic and Zach Kindler Invitational.
