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IU Kokomo junior thrower Sydney Duncan continued one of the most dominant weeks in program history last week, capturing the discus national championship at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, hosted by University of North Carolina at Asheville.
With the victory, Duncan becomes just the second female athlete in NAIA history to sweep the hammer throw, shot put, and discus national championships in the same week. The discus title also marked her third national championship of the week and sixth career NAIA national title.
Duncan earned the championship in dramatic fashion, overcoming a difficult start to the competition after fouling on each of her first two throws in prelims. Facing elimination entering her third and final prelim attempt, the junior delivered a clutch throw that moved her into eighth place and secured a spot in the finals, as the top nine competitors advanced.
After surviving prelims, Duncan quickly took control in the finals. On her second throw of the championship round, she launched a mark of 47.62 meters that ultimately held up for the national title. Several of the top-seeded competitors still had throws remaining throughout the final round, but Duncan’s mark withstood the field as she secured the championship by just .08 meters.
The national title caps off a historic week for Duncan, who previously claimed national championships in both the hammer throw and shot put earlier during the national meet. Across all three events, the junior repeatedly delivered in clutch moments, further cementing her place among the top throwers in NAIA history.
Duncan concludes the outdoor national championships as a ten-time NAIA All-American and owner of six career national championships for IU Kokomo.
Sydney Duncan, an Indiana native and standout Indiana University Kokomo track and field athlete, is making history!
Though only a junior, she has already earned six NAIA national championships, eight All-American honors, and recently swept all throwing event titles at this year’s outdoor national championships. And her success extends far beyond the NAIA level. Duncan also currently ranks among the nation’s top collegiate throwers alongside NCAA Division I athletes. She has had DI schools reach out with her success, and she chose to stay at IU Kokomo.
Duncan’s accomplishments include:
- Ranked nationally among all college throwers
- Ranked 14th in nation for best collegiate shot put in the country for indoor (this includes all levels of NCAA athletes including DI throwers)
- Ranked 27th in nation for best collegiate shot put in the country in outdoor (this includes all levels of NCAA athletes including DI throwers)
2026 NAIA Outdoor Track National Championships (triple crown)
- Shot Put- National Champion – All American
- Discus – National Champion – All American
- Hammer Throw – National Champion – All American
Note: She is just the second female NAIA athlete of all-time to win shot put, discus, and hammer throw at the same outdoor championships.
2026 NAIA Indoor Track National Championships
- Shot Put- National Champion – All American
- Weight Throw – 5th place – All American
2025 NAIA Outdoor Track National Championships
- Shot Put- National Champion – All American
- Discus – National Runner-Up – All American
2025 NAIA Indoor Track National Championships
- Shot Put- National Champion – All American
Other Recognition:
- Named MVP, regardless of gender, of the 2026 NAIA Outdoor National Championships
- USTFCCCA NAIA National Women’s Field Athlete of the Year (2025)