Track & Field | 2/27/2026 9:37:00 PM

Springfield, Ohio – The Crimson and Gold traveled to Springfield, Ohio, for the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championships. The women's team earned three personal bests, while the men's team notched five, including a program record. The men's team ended day one in fifth place with 16 points, while the women's team started the conference weekend in seventh place with four points. 

Highlighting the opening day for Oberlin, Namu Makatiani broke his own school record in the 60m hurdle prelims, clocking in a time of 8.13 to place first. The senior is currently tied for 13th in Division III in the 60m hurdles.

Prior to his record-setting performance, Makatiani launched himself to bronze in the long jump with a distance of 6.93m, a personal best for the senior. Makatiani's mark also moves him to third on Oberlin's All-Time List in the event. Daniel Ambar followed Makatiani's example by jumping to a personal best of 6.52m. 

In the women's weight throw, Alira Allen threw a personal best of 10.40m.  

Will Gordon ran an impressive 38-second personal best of 15:18 in the men's 5,000m, scoring points for the first time and earning fourth place on Oberlin's All-Time List. 

Following Makatiani in the 60m hurdles, first-year Simon Tang showed up to his first conference championship ready to race. The first-year crossed the finish line in a personal best of 8.76 and earned himself 10th place on Oberlin's All-Time List. 

First-year Kai Bell-Torres had his conference debut, notching a personal best of 52.17 in the men's 400m. 

In the 60m dash, first-year Dylan Davis ran a personal best of 8.28. 

Fourth-year Ella Wozek had a triumphant return to the conference 800m, running a personal best of 2:16 to make tomorrow's final. Wozek's mark also places her fourth on Oberlin's All-Time List.

First-year Val Harris led the team's results in the 200m dash with a personal best of 27.55, with second-year Sawyer Ramberg following shortly behind with a best of 27.70.

The men's distance medley relay closed out the day, with the team of Piers Shirk, George Buckman, Cooper Tanski, and Liam Newman taking second place in an Oberlin third All-Time performance of 10:11. Notably, first-years Buckman and Tanski ran their 400m and 800m legs in 50 and 1:54, respectively.

Head Coach Ben Wach knows there is more where today came from. "There were so many breakthrough performances today, but the best part is that none of them came as a surprise. This team is waking up tomorrow with certainty that we are the best we've been this year right now."

The Crimson and Gold will resume the second day of the NCAC Championships tomorrow, Saturday, February 28. The first event is scheduled for 10 a.m. 

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