Track & Field | 3/14/2026 3:16:00 PM
Birmingham, Alabama – Returning to the national stage for his fifth appearance, Oberlin College track & field senior
Namu Makatiani earned his fourth All-America triple jump accolade and first All-America First-Team honor at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships hosted at the Birmingham Crossplex on Saturday afternoon.
"I am just so relieved to finally be a First-Team All-American. I came so close so many seasons before–it felt just out of reach each time," Makatiani adds. "To finally be able to say I did it is such a relief. I am so happy to end my indoor season on a high note and cannot wait for outdoors."
Competing from the eighth position in the second flight, Makatiani opened with a jump of 14.41m to sit in fifth place. Jumping a foot further on his second attempt, the senior recorded a mark of 14.72m, maintaining his position at fifth. Producing a mark of 14.70m on his third attempt, the Kenyan native shifted to the seventh position, advancing to the final round where he would be granted three more attempts.
On his fourth attempt, Makatiani jumped to 14.69m, making way for his impressive fifth attempt. Launching 14.82m, the senior registered his furthest attempt of the day, less than a tenth of a meter off his personal best and the Oberlin program record.
As attempts were evaluated and results were finalized, Makatiani's mark of 14.82m placed seventh overall, earning his fourth career All-America honor, second indoor All-America performance, and first All-America First-Team accolade as the top eight performers in each event earn First-Team recognition. Placing 10th at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2025 and 14th at the indoor championships earlier that year, Makatiani's seventh-place finish marks his highest at the national level.
"We're so proud of Namu! He worked so hard to show up on this day ready to be his absolute best," Head Coach
Ben Wach continues. "The medal and trophy he's bringing home are perfect ornaments for his tremendous indoor season."
Makatiani will join the rest of the Crimson and Gold as they transition into the outdoor track & field season. Hosting their season opener on Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28, with the Bob Kahn Invitational, the first event is set to kick off at 1 p.m.
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