By: Cody Wright
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Amblessed Okemgbo took home the women's shot put national title on Friday's day two of the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Veteran's Memorial Field Sports Complex.
Okemgbo, who came into the meet as the third seed in the shot put, won the event with a mark of 47'-6.25" on her third attempt. Two of her final three throws were fouls, but her winning mark would not be topped as she won the event by five and a half inches. Okemgbo is now a seven-time All-American and caps her illustrious career with the first shot put national title in Whitworth history. She is the first Pirate to win an event at the national meet since Cody Wheeler won the javelin in 2024.
Madison Carr and Kylie Loveless also competed in shot put and both earned All-American honors. Carr, a first team All-American, finished sixth with a mark of 45'-5.75" achieved on her second throw. Loveless, a second team All-American, placed 11th with a throw of 43"-7".
The Pirate shot put trio has vaulted Whitworth into second place in the women's team standings (18 points), one point behind first, with eight events left to finish on the day.
Five Pirates will be in action on Saturday. Wheeler, Tristan Hiller, and Devyn Chelin will compete in the javelin. Adam Sessions and Carr will compete in the hammer throw.
