The 2025 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships took place Feb. 28 – March 2 at Northwest Missouri State University’s Hughes Fieldhouse in Maryville, Missouri. All teams from the MIAA conference were represented. The event featured competition among top athletes, with teams competing for individuals and relay titles across various track and field events.
Ta’Mijha Nichols, sophomore sprinter, delivered a standout performance for Washburn University. The sophomore sprinter earned All-MIAA honors in both the 60-meter and 200-meter events. Nichols clocked a personal-best 7.47 seconds to finish third in the 60 and set a school record in the 200 with a time of 24.47 seconds, securing a second-place finish.
“I just breathe and I usually say a quick prayer, something different for every race,” Nichols said when sharing how she prepared for each race.
Adam Wooldridge, freshman pole vaulter, also set a school record.He cleared a vault of 5.08 meters, earning third place in the event, qualifying him for the NCAA Championship meet.
“[My way of focusing is] just trying to stay consistent in practice,” Wooldridge said.
Indoor track and field follows a different schedule than other sports. Athletes start training in September and there are very few meets throughout the regular season to help prepare them for conference and national meets
“We really only have one opportunity to do something, as far as the conference championship goes. There’s no regular-season champion and a postseason championship, it’s literally just one weekend to decide who’s good,” said Cameron Babb, head men’s and women’s track and cross country coach.
Babb praised the athletes for scoring points where needed and leaving a big mark by taking home third place for both the men’s and women’s teams. Babb is hopeful to come back with many placings from the NCAA national meet with 13 capable athletes qualifying for a chance to compete.
The NCAA championship will take place March 14 – 15 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Edited by Morgan Albrecht and Jeremy Ford
