JOLIET, Ill. – Olivet Nazarene University delivered a commanding performance at the 2026 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, capturing both team titles after two days of depth, balance, and championship‑level execution. The Tigers men totaled an emphatic 346 points, finishing well ahead of the field, while the women captured their championship with dominant 239 points.
Women
The Olivet women delivered an impressive championship performance, leaning on elite sprinting, strong middle‑distance efforts, and clutch field event execution.
On the track, Teleyah Covington was a standout, winning both the 200 meters (24.22) and 400 meters (55.67), while scoring additional points in the sprint corps. Her performances earned her recognition as the Most Valuable Performer of the meet after earning 28.5 points for the Tigers. Carsyn Burdine complemented her efforts with top finishes in the 200, 400, and relay events, helping the Tigers dominate the short sprints.
The hurdle races were another point‑scoring stronghold. Kaylah McCall claimed the conference title in the 100‑meter hurdles (14.17), with fellow Tigers adding valuable points behind her. Olivet also placed multiple athletes in the 400‑meter hurdles, continuing the theme of depth paying dividends.
Middle‑distance success proved critical, as Heidi Heldt turned in a title performance in the 1,500 meters, while also finishing runner‑up in the 800 meters. Olivet stacked points in both races, ensuring separation from the rest of the field. The Tigers also added key scoring in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, grinding out points in longer events that often determine team championships.
The field events delivered championship‑defining moments. Sophie Dagnall captured the high jump, Hailey Perrine won the long jump, and Haylee Whitcraft dominated the javelin. In the throws, Amanda Gustafson was a standout, winning the shot put and placing second in the hammer, providing critical high‑value points.
Relays capped the weekend. Olivet claimed the 4×100‑meter relay title, a momentum‑building victory that helped secure the women’s championship, while adding a runner‑up finish in the 4×400 to close the meet.
Men
The sprints were a foundation of the men’s championship effort, led by Noah Mack, who claimed individual titles in the 100 meters (10.60) and 200 meters (21.21). Mack’s performances in these events led to him being recognized as the Most Valuable Performer of the meet, as he racked up 22.5 points for the Tigers. Olivet showed exceptional depth behind Mack, as Olivet placed six athletes in the 200 finals, producing a massive point haul. That speed translated seamlessly to relays, where the Tigers won the 4×100-meter relay in 40.93 and finished runner‑up in a tightly contested 4×400-meter relay.
In the middle‑distance events, Olivet’s consistency proved decisive. The Tigers stacked points in the 800 meters, placing six athletes in the final, led by Austin Tice‘s runner‑up finish. The team continued that trend in the 1,500 meters, where multiple Tigers finished inside the scoring positions, and again in the 3,000‑meter steeplechase, where Reese Devriendt and Tyler Hegle went one‑two, setting the tempo for a dominant team showing.
Distance events continued to favor Olivet. Brandon Armendarez captured the 5,000‑meter title, with another pair of Tigers finishing close behind to maximize points, while the team placed multiple scorers in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters to cushion their lead.
The hurdles and field events sealed the championship. Avery Johnson won the 400‑meter hurdles, with additional scoring from several teammates in the same race. In the jumps, Olivet swept the top three spots in the long jump, led by Xavier Johnson (6.68m), Desmond Hunter (6.65m), and Creedon Welsch (6.55m). Johnson added another conference title in the triple jump. The throws added yet another layer of depth, with Olivet placing multiple athletes on the podium in the shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer. Okenoko Pascall set the tone for throws by finishing first in the shot put (15.82m).
Coach Awards
In addition to the standout performances by the student athletes, two ONU coaches were recognized after the meet. Head Coach Kyle Rago earned CCAC Coach of the Year honors for both the men’s and women’s sides and Zontavius Johnson was named the Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year.
Top Women’s Finishers
Isabella Wojciechowski – second in 10000m (38:45.40)
Amanda Gustafson – second in Discus (40.32), second in Hammer (43.24), first in Shot Put (13.72m)
Sophie Dagnall – first in High Jump (1.49m)
Hailey Perrine – first in Long Jump (5.26m)
Haylee Whitcraft – first in Javelin (44.41m)
Heidi Heldt – first in 1500m (4:28.54), second in 800m (2:13.66)
Taygen Beyer – third in 1500m (4:43.86)
Kaylah McCall – first in 100m Hurdles (14.17)
Olivia Lentz – third in 100m Hurdles (15.17), second in 400m Hurdles (1:01.81)
Carsyn Burdine – first in 100m (12.00), second in 100m (57.15), second in 200m (24.46)
Teleyah Covington – first in 400m (55.67), third in 100m (12.00), first in 200m (24.22)
Laurel Munson – third in 800m (2:19.58)
Karissa Arvin – second in Triple Jump (11.22m)
Top Men’s Finishers
Reese DeVriendt – first in 3000m steeple (9:46.47)
Tyler Hegle – second in 3000m steeple (9:50.86)
Noah Mack – first in 100m (10.60), first in 200m (21.21)
Braden Kehr – second in Javelin (57.34m)
Marcus Robinson – second in Discus (44.80m), second in Shot Put (15.80m), third in Hammer (52.98m)
Okenoko Pascall – third in Discus (44.78m), first in Shot Put (15.82m)
Xavier Johnson – first in Long Jump (6.68m), first in Triple Jump (14.15m)
Desmond Hunter – second in Long Jump (6.65m)
Creedon Welsch – third in Long Jump (6.55m)
Charlie Bardwell – second in 1500m (3:56.40)
Steel Zeller – third in 110m Hurdles (15.90)
Eric White – first in 400m (47.65), third in 200m (21.87)
Darrin Dussett – second in 400m (48.60)
Romance Atkins – third in 400m (48.80)
Austin Tice – second in 800m (1:52.09)
Avery Johnson – first in 400m Hurdles (55.50)
Findlay Neal – third in 400m Hurdles (56.19)
Brandon Armendarez – first in 5000m (15:02.82)
Austin Rush – third in 5000m (15:23.57)
Pacey Nack – second in Pole Vault (4.35m)
Colton Ruster – third in Pole Vault (4.35m)
Isaiah Washington – third in Triple Jump (13.54m)
For more information about the athletics program, visit ONUtigers.com
To view all Tiger Athletics news, click here.
— Republished 5/5/2026 —
