DICKINSON, N.D. – In a fitting end to an era, the Dickinson State University men's and women's track & field teams swept the final North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Outdoor Track & Field Championships, capturing both team titles on their home track at the Biesiot Activities Center.
The Blue Hawk men scored 305.5 points to dethrone five-time defending champion Dakota State. The Dickinson State women continued their dynasty with a commanding 340-point performance, securing their eighth consecutive NSAA championship and bringing the league's final trophy home once again.
The men's team powered to victory with wins in both sprints and field events. Dickinson State claimed titles in the 4x100-meter relay (41.50), 200 meters (Kohbe Smith), 1500 meters (Hudson Atkinson), javelin (Porter Kreider), pole vault (Adrien Calderon), shot put (Corbin Harris), long jump (Ashton Judge), and triple jump (Kohbe Smith).
On the women's side, the Blue Hawks swept all three relay events and won 12 individual titles. Senior Jewel Olson claimed both the 200 and 400 meters and anchored the winning 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. Kaitlyn McColly repeated as 100-meter hurdles champion and closed out her heptathlon career with a win, while Kori Nagel dominated the throws with victories in the shot put and hammer throw.
Following the meet, the NSAA announced its postseason awards, including two major coaching honors for Dickinson State:
NSAA Postseason Awards – Men
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Coach of the Year: Shayne Wittkopp, Dickinson State
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MVP: Chantz Minear, Dakota State
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Field Athletes of the Year: Kohbe Smith (Dickinson State), Dawson Sedivec (Jamestown)
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Track Athlete of the Year: Lukas Bennett, Dakota State
NSAA Postseason Awards – Women
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Coach of the Year: Shayne Wittkopp, Dickinson State
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MVP: Karly Just, Valley City State
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Field Athlete of the Year: Kori Nagel, Dickinson State
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Track Athlete of the Year: Karly Just, Valley City State
Each school also recognized one male and one female student-athlete who embodied the NAIA's core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership:
This year's championship marks the final event in NSAA track & field history, as the conference concludes its operations after the 2024–25 academic year. With both teams atop the podium, Dickinson State closes its NSAA era with pride — bringing home the final men's and women's team titles and extending a legacy of excellence that defined its time in the conference.
