JONESBORO, Ark. (3/13/25) – Arkansas State thrower Michelle Ogbemudia is set to compete for a national championship and All-American honors on Friday, as she competes in the weight throw at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Virginia Beach, Va.
The Plano, Texas, native is one of 16 competitors in the event, which is slated for a 1:15 p.m. CT start time. After three preliminary throws, the top nine advance to the final for three more attempts. Finishers earning first through eighth place will earn First Team All-American honors, while places 9-16 are awarded second-team laurels.
HOW TO FOLLOW:
Watch Live: ESPN+
Live Results: FlashResults
HOW SHE GOT HERE: Ogbemudia punched her ticket to the Championships with her meet-record throw of 21.75m (71-4.25) to take gold at the Sun Belt Conference Championships. Her mark also broke her own school record in the event and is 16th nationally entering the event. She also earned bronze in the shot put to total 18 points and was awarded the SBC Women's Indoor Field Performer of the Year.
BACK-TO-BACK: Arkansas State has now had back-to-back years with a women's thrower in either the indoor or outdoor national championships, as Selase Sampram competed in the shot put at the 2024 Outdoor Championships. She is A-State's first nationals qualifier in the women's indoor championships since Camryn Newton-Smith in 2023, but the first in a throwing event since Erin Farmer in 2017.
ELITE COMPANY: Ogbemudia is just the sixth A-State women's track and field athlete to compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships all-time. In the last six seasons, including the canceled 2020 championships, the Red Wolves have been represented three times – with Camryn Newton-Smith qualifying in the pentathlon in 2020 and 2023 before Ogbemudia this year.
SUN (BELT) RISING: Ogbemudia is one of two women from the Sun Belt set to compete at the championships this year, joining Texas State thrower Melanie Duron (shot put).
SOCIAL MEDIA
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