A Breakthrough Year for Dawson Cross Country and Track & Field
2024–25 Recap: A Breakthrough Year for Dawson Cross Country and Track & Field
The 2024–25 athletic year was a historic one for Dawson Community College's Cross Country and Track & Field programs, marked by national rankings, All-American honors, school records, and a continued commitment to academic excellence and community involvement.
Cross Country Highlights
-
The women's cross country team climbed as high as #27 in the NJCAA DII National Coaches Poll.
-
Five women qualified for the NJCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships.
-
Sierra Summers led the charge with a 3rd-place finish at nationals and earned NJCAA All-American honors.
-
On the men's side, Peyton Summers and Aydin Jackson both qualified for the national championships, with Peyton placing 14th overall and receiving NJCAA All-American honors.
-
Academic excellence paralleled athletic success, with Abigail Stewart, Cody Harrington, and Aydin Jackson named to the All-Academic Cross Country Team.
-
Five school records were broken during the cross country season.
-
Three student-athletes earned spots on the Dean's Honors List.
Indoor Track & Field Highlights
-
Three Buccaneers punched their tickets to the NJCAA Indoor National Championships: Fernanda Hernandez, Nichole "Nikki" Roberts, and Zion Jackson-Collins.
-
Nikki Roberts achieved a Top 20 national ranking in the shot put.
-
The team shattered nine school records during the indoor season.
Outdoor Track & Field Highlights
-
Aries Lewis soared to a 2nd-place finish in the high jump at the NJCAA Outdoor Nationals, earning All-American honors.
-
Destiny Thompson and Mason Meier both placed 9th in the javelin throw at nationals.
-
Athletes achieved:
-
4 Top 10 national rankings
-
7 Top 25 national rankings
-
10 Top 50 national rankings
-
-
A staggering 15 school records were set during the outdoor season.
-
The team upheld its academic integrity with a 3.15 cumulative GPA and three athletes named to the Dean's Honors List.
Community Engagement Highlights
-
Dawson hosted 30 middle school athletes from Wolf Point for a summer track and field camp emphasizing mental health awareness.
-
For the second year running, the program organized a well-attended coaches' hospitality event at the Shriners Track & Field Meet, with coaches from 36 high schools in attendance.
-
Buccaneer student-athletes gave back to the community, volunteering at various DCC and local events throughout the year.
DCC Track & Field and Cross Country continue to rise as a competitive force in the NJCAA while cultivating a culture of excellence both on and off the track. The 2024–25 season set a new standard for what it means to be a Dawson Buccaneer.