West Texas A&M University capped off an unforgettable weekend at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, making it clear once again that the Buffs and Lady Buffs are national powerhouses in the sport. From national titles to school records to standout team performances, the WT track and field program proved its depth, determination, and dominance on the biggest stage.
Lady Buffs Land Back on the Podium
For the Lady Buffs, the championship meet in Allendale, Michigan, was defined by breakthrough performances and grit, anchored by the brilliance of freshman Abigail Abugire. In only her first national outdoor championship appearance, Abugire raced her way into the WT record books, winning the 800 meters in 2:02.93 — a new school record and her first national title.
Her victory not only set the tone for the day but also provided critical points that helped propel the Lady Buffs to a tie for fourth place in the final team standings with 35 points — sharing the podium with Fresno Pacific.
The day started strong with the 4×100-meter relay team — Peace Nwaelehia, Leah Belfield, Blessing Akintoye, and Deborah Acheampong — placing fifth with a time of 44.48, earning valuable All-American honors.
Additional highlights included:
Sarah Koomson clocking 4:32.61 in the 1,500m for a sixth-place finish.
Akintoye and Nwaelehia delivering clutch performances in the 400m, finishing third and fifth, respectively.
Naomi Addo running 17:06.48 in the 5,000m, securing 10th place in a competitive field.
Leidy Cuesta placing 12th in the triple jump with a mark of 12.46m, earning Second-Team All-American honors.
The 4x400m relay squad (Abugire, Asana Hamidu, Nwaelehia, Akintoye) closed out the meet with an eighth-place finish in 3:35.22.
Together, these efforts showed the Lady Buffs’ balance of sprint, distance, and field event talent, solidifying their status among the nation's best.
Buffs Bring the Heat: National Runner-Up and Three Titles
The WT men’s team entered the championship with high expectations, and they delivered in dramatic fashion, earning a National Runner-Up finish for the second time in three years. With 66 points, the Buffs held off all but powerhouse Pittsburg State (111 points), continuing an astounding run of five straight top-two national finishes.
Saturday’s performances were highlighted by three national titles, showcasing WT’s sprint dominance and distance depth:
The 4x100m relay team of Jace Lynch, Jerry Jakpa, James Dadzie, and Isaac Botsio blasted to gold with a time of 39.43, leaving no doubt about their chemistry and speed.
Isaac Botsio, one of the nation’s top sprinters, followed up the relay win by capturing the 100m national title in 9.94 seconds — the second-fastest time in WT history.
William Amponsah capped the day in style, running 14:26.23 to win the 5,000m, adding another distance crown to his growing resume.
The Buffs also saw several other All-American performances:
Aziz Mohammed finished sixth in the 1,500m with a time of 3:50.93, showcasing the team's middle-distance strength.
Prince Mcabelo surged to third in the 800m, running a solid 1:49.23, another All-American mark for the Buffs.
A Program Built on Excellence
The 2025 NCAA Championships further cemented West Texas A&M’s legacy in Division II track and field. The Lady Buffs' return to the podium underscores the rising trajectory of the women’s program, while the Buffs continue to set a standard of sustained excellence with yet another top-two finish.
Beyond the medals and records, this weekend was a testament to hard work, development, and team spirit — the foundation of WT’s track and field culture.
As the dust settles on another remarkable season, one thing is clear: the future remains bright in Canyon, Texas.
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