Jayhawks Show Strength at NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships

Graphic highlighting Muskegon Jayhawks track and field athletes competing at nationals. The design features four photos on a blue background with Jayhawks branding. The top left image shows athlete Anthony Klauss posing with medals. The top right image shows members of the 4x800m relay team standing together on the track. The bottom left image shows Tatum Dykstra smiling and holding medals. Large text on the right reads “Jayhawks Take on Nationals.” The Muskegon Jayhawks logo appears in the center of the graphic.
March 9, 2026

The National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Track & Field Championships proved once again that the level of competition continues to rise each year. With a growing number of experienced international athletes many over the age of 22 entering the field, the championship races were deeper and more competitive than ever. Despite the challenges, the Muskegon Community College Jayhawks rose to the occasion and delivered an impressive showing on the national stage.

The women's 4x800 meter relay team entered the championships ranked 12th in the nation and exceeded expectations by finishing 9th overall, establishing themselves as a legitimate podium contender heading into the outdoor season.

On the men's side, Anthony Kiaunis delivered one of the most impressive performances of the meet. Entering the 1000m preliminaries as the 34th seed, Kiaunis surged to a 12th-place finish, demonstrating both his preparation and confidence against a field stacked with elite competition. His performance now places him with the second-fastest 1000m time in school history, trailing only former record holder Kyler Dean.

Distance standout Tatum Dykstra, the current MCC school record holder in the 5000m, entered the meet ranked 12th in the country and fought through a tough final to finish 10th overall. Dykstra was also the highest-finishing NJCAA Division II athlete competing in the Division I field, racing against eight international athletes who were five or more years older another testament to her dedication and training.

In the field events, Jamari Taylor continued to elevate his performance in the weight throw. Entering the championships ranked 17th, Taylor climbed to an 11th-place finish while breaking his own school record with a throw of 17.02 meters.

Overall, the Jayhawks closed the indoor championship season on a high note, with all eight Muskegon athletes earning NJCAA Coaches Association Second Team All-American honors.

Head Coach and the Jayhawks program now turn their focus to the outdoor season, where the team hopes to carry this momentum forward and compete for podium finishes at the upcoming outdoor championships in **New Mexico.

With strong performances across multiple events and a resilient group of athletes, the future looks bright for Jayhawk Track & Field.