RESULTS
MAHWAH, NJ — Rowan University captured the 2026 NJAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship, totaling 211.5 points to narrowly defeat five-time defending champion TCNJ (207) in a meet decided by just 4.5 points. The title marks Rowan’s first since 2019.
TEAM SCORES
- Rowan – 211.5
- TCNJ – 207
- Stockton – 133
- Montclair State – 113
- Ramapo – 54.5
- NJCU – 43
- Rutgers-Newark – 25
- Rutgers-Camden – 17
- Kean – 5
Rowan used depth across the lineup to secure the title, finishing with 18 total medals (five gold, seven silver, six bronze), while TCNJ led all programs with seven gold medals among its 16 total podium finishes. Stockton followed with 11 medals, while Montclair State (six), NJCU (five), Ramapo (four), Rutgers-Newark (two), and Rutgers-Camden (one) rounded out the field.
Nyla Jones led the way for Rowan, breaking the meet record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.95, surpassing the previous mark of 14.03 set by Rowan’s Darielle Cross in 2019. Jones later added a second individual title in the 400-meter hurdles (1:02.26). Keira Gibbons placed third in the 100 hurdles to give the Profs two podium finishes in the event.
Rowan’s distance group also delivered key points. Gabriella Pagano won the 5,000 meters in 17:39.20 and added a runner-up finish in the 1,500, while Jezena Aponte placed second in the 5,000 and third in the 1,500. Emily Zanni captured the 3,000-meter steeplechase (11:49.93), with Emily Fraser finishing third, and Shannon Stakelbeck and Maggie Michelet added second- and third-place finishes, respectively, in the 10,000 meters.
In the field events, Bree Cooney won the hammer throw (47.18m) as Rowan swept the podium with Katie Little and Alexia Bey placing second and third. The Profs also added second- and third-place finishes in the discus and key points across multiple events to build their winning total.
TCNJ’s performance was highlighted by Lucia Garcia-Beltran, who swept the sprint titles in the 100 meters (11.86) and 200 meters (24.19), with her 200 time tying the meet record set in 2025. Sarah Scepkowski won the heptathlon (3,973 points) and added a silver in the high jump, while Samantha Magin finished second in the heptathlon.
Allison Lavin claimed the shot put title (12.65m) and added a bronze in the javelin, while Lia Malave won the long jump (5.49m) and took third in the triple jump. TCNJ also swept both relays, winning the 4x100 (46.83) and 4x400 (3:54.35), performances that proved critical in keeping the Lions within striking distance throughout the meet.
Stockton turned in a strong all-around showing, led by Elaina Styer, who won the high jump (1.67m) and added runner-up finishes in both the long jump and 100-meter hurdles. Eva Morrison won the pole vault (3.45m) with teammate Megan Morris finishing second, while Joie Buxton captured the javelin (44.25m). Kayla Kass added a silver in the 800 and a bronze in the 400, and contributed to Stockton’s third-place 4x400 relay.
Ramapo’s Dale Leonard was a double winner, taking titles in both the 1,500 meters (4:34.00) and 800 meters (2:11.83).
Montclair State’s Abigail Churchill won the 10,000 meters (39:36.12), while McKay Alby placed second in both the 100 and 200 and ran on the Hawks’ second-place 4x100 relay.
NJCU was led by Tonna Ogina, who won the triple jump (11.23m) and added bronze medals in both the long jump and high jump, while Reyanna Henderson captured the 400 meters (57.41).
Rutgers-Camden’s Asha Pensa-Johnson rounded out the individual event winners with a victory in the discus (42.85m).