NEW ORLEANS – Whitworth University's Amblessed Okemgbo is the 2026 NCAA Division III West Region women's outdoor Field Athlete of the Year, according to a release from the United Stats Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Thursday. In addition, Kolton Carlson is the West Region Assistant Coach of the Year for both the men and women.
Okemgbo's award is her second of the season. She had previously been selected as the USTFCCCA Division III West Region Field Athlete of the Year for indoor track and field.
Okembgo won the shot put at last week's NCAA Division III outdoor Track and Field Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She also finished fourth in the women's discus. In April she won Northwest Conference titles, while setting new meet records, in both events. She was selected as the NWC's women's Field Athlete of the Meet.
Carlson, who is in his ninth season on staff with the Pirates and his third as head throws coach, guided the Pirate women to NWC victories in the hammer, discus, shot put and javelin and to one national title and four first team All-America finishes. He coached three Pirate men to first team All-America status as well. Thanks to the efforts of his throwers, Whitworth's women finished 12th at the NCAA Championships, while the men took 18th place.
