The NCMC track and field program made a strong showing at the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, highlighted by a historic performance and several athletes competing with consistency on the national stage.

Leading the way for the Pirates was high jumper Genesis Bethea, who etched his name into the program record books by becoming NCMC's first-ever Track & Field All-American. Bethea cleared 2.04 meters to finish 5th in the nation, a milestone achievement for the young program and a testament to his dedication throughout the season.

In the field events, Nate Giffin represented NCMC in the pole vault, finishing 10th overall with a clearance of 4.48 meters. Competing against some of the nation's best, Giffin battled through the competition and delivered a solid performance on the national stage.

On the track, sprinters Cierra Stigger and Jamari Ervin competed in the 60-meter dash, demonstrating strong consistency throughout the meet. Both athletes continued to showcase the speed and composure that carried them through the indoor season and earned them a spot at the national championships.

Assistant Track and Field Coach Taylor praised the group for their effort and composure under pressure. "I'm super proud of each one of these athletes. They showed great consistency all season and were able to compete when it counted the most. Competing at a national championship can bring a lot of nerves, but they did a great job keeping those nerves down and maintaining a level head. That's what allows athletes to perform at their best on the biggest stage."

With the indoor season now complete, the Pirates quickly turn their focus toward the outdoor season. The team will begin preparations in the coming weeks as they get ready for their first outdoor meet of the season at Emporia State University on March 27th.

As the program continues to grow, the performances at the national meet mark another important step forward for NCMC Track & Field heading into the outdoor season.