TicketsCINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati track and field program has made history, sending a program-record eight individual athletes to Eugene, Ore., to compete in the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week.
The 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field from June 11 to 14.
Fans can watch the Championships on the ESPN family of networks. The first two days of the meet (June 11-12) will be broadcast on ESPN, while coverage of Friday and Saturday (June 13-14) will air on ESPNU.
// THE EUGENE 8
Cincinnati made school history by qualifying eight individual athletes to Eugene. This marks Cincinnati's largest group of athletes at nationals since 2017, when they also sent eight athletes, which included four from their 4x100 relay team.
The eight Bearcats representing the Queen City in the Beaver state are – Fred Moudani-Likibi (Shot Put), Ryan Rieckmann (Javelin), Juliette Laracuente-Huebner (Heptathlon), Orry Willems (Hammer Throw), Amanda Ngandu Ntumba (Discus & Shot Put), Kya Epps (200m), Davenae Fagan (400m) and Macaela Walker (400m Hurdles).
// BEARCAT SCHEDULE
*All times are EST*
WEDNESDAY – JUNE 11 (MEN)
Hammer – 4:30 PM (Orry Willems)
Javelin – 8:15 PM (Ryan Rieckmann)
Shot Put – 9:10 PM (Fred Moudani-Likibi)
THURSDAY – JUNE 12 (WOMEN)
400m – 8:41 PM (Davenae Fagan)
Shot Put – 9:10 PM (Amanda Ngandu Ntumba)
400m Hurdles – 9:14 PM (Macaela Walker)
200m – 9:29 PM (Kya Epps)
FRIDAY – JUNE 13 (HEPTATHLON)
100m Hurdles – 2:45 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
High Jump – 3:45 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
Shot Put – 5:45 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
200m – 9:43 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
SATURDAY – JUNE 14 (WOMEN)
Discus – 3:30 PM (Amanda Ngandu Ntumba)
Long Jump – Heptathlon – 6:30 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
Javelin – Heptathlon – 7:45 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
800m – Heptathlon – 10:43 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
// DOUBLE THREAT
Amanda Ngandu Ntumba has earned her place among Cincinnati's most elite track and field athletes, becoming only the fourth Bearcat in program history to qualify for multiple
events at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The discus specialist from Saint-Étienne, France, punched her ticket to nationals with a powerful 59.43-meter throw that landed her in third place at the NCAA East First Round. But Ntumba's dominance didn't stop there – she also earned qualification in the shot put competition after launching a program-record throw of 16.85m. This remarkable heave not only secured her an 11th-place finish but also surpassed the previous school record of 16.79m held by Hall of Fame Bearcat Annette Echikunwoke.
Ntumba now stands alongside three legendary Cincinnati athletes in an exclusive multi-event club. Leading this distinguished group is Hall of Famer Al Lanier, whose national championship resume spans multiple years and events. Lanier dominated both indoor and outdoor competitions from 1971-1973, qualifying five times across the triple jump and long jump events during those seasons.
More recently, sprinter Caisja Chandler demonstrated her versatility with dual qualifications in separate years. She blazed her way to nationals in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes in 2021 and previously competed in the 200 meters while anchoring the 4x100-meter relay team in 2019.
Jasmine Cotton completes this exclusive quartet, having qualified for both the pentathlon and high jump at the 2012 indoor national championships.
Ntumba arrived at the NCAA First Rounds with momentum from her stellar performance at the Outdoor Big 12 Championships, where she captured second place in the discus with a 59.38m effort. Her consistency at the highest level reflects a season of record-breaking achievements.
The French native also holds the Cincinnati discus record after obliterating Jane Sensibaugh's 2022 mark of 55.15m by more than five meters. Ntumba's crowning moment came at the 2025 Texas Relays, where her massive 60.10m throw established her as the undisputed leader in the Bearcats' record books.
// MEASURED. MARKED. MOVING ON!
Fred Moudani-Likibi, Orry Willems and Ryan Rieckmann threw their way onto the national stage through dominant throwing performances, each earning their spots at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in TrackTown, USA.
Moudani-Likibi booked his trip to the Beaver state after taking home third place in the shot put with a throw of 19.71m at the NCAA East First Round. The Savigny-le-Temple, France native is a three-time first-team All-American pursuing his fourth honor. He recently claimed his third conference title after winning the 2025 Outdoor Big 12 Shot Put Championship with a throw of 20.28m.
During the indoor season, Moudani-Likibi earned his third All-America honor by finishing sixth in the shot put (19.63m) at nationals. He also holds the Bearcats' indoor (20.62m) and outdoor (20.54m) shot put records.
Willems set a new UC record after launching a 65.58m throw to earn ninth place in the hammer throw and qualify for the big dance. The Balen, Belgium native becomes the second Bearcat in school history to qualify for the NCAA National Championships in the hammer throw.
The other UC athlete to accomplish this feat was Hall of Fame Bearcat Annette Echikunwoke, the 2025 USA Olympic silver medalist qualified in 2016 and earned First Team All-America honors with an eighth-place finish.
Rieckmann also earned his spot in the national championships after unloading a throw of 67.90m to claim 10th place in the javelin. The Cheney, Washington native has had an impressive season, setting the program record in the javelin with a throw of 71.02m.
Rieckmann becomes the third Bearcat in school history to qualify for the NCAA National Championships in the javelin, joining Emelie Larsson (2012) and Brian Zimmerman (2010).
// LANE ASSIGNMENT: NATIONALS
Kya Epps, Davenae Fagan and Macaela Walker have blazed their trail to Eugene for a shot at a national title, each making their mark with outstanding performances at the NCAA East First Round.
Epps secured her spot by clocking a time of 22.82 seconds to capture eighth place in the 200m dash, becoming the fourth Bearcat ever to qualify in the event. She joins an elite group that includes Caisja Chandler (who qualified three times - twice outdoors in 2020 and 2019, once indoors in 2020), along with Chris Borzor (2020), Kenny Wade (2004) and Charlyn Ray (2002).
This outdoor season has been exceptional for Epps, who now holds the second-fastest times in program history in both the 100m (11.23) and 200m (22.82). At the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, she claimed third place with a 200m time of 22.99. Throughout the regular season, Epps has dominated, winning three 200m events.
Fagan powered her way to qualification with a 51.76 clocking in the 400m dash, good for ninth place. She becomes just the fourth Bearcat to qualify in the 400m, joining Kenya Woodall (2016, 2015), Antione Drakeford (2009) and Steven McElroy (2022).
The Stone Mountain, Georgia native has been dominant this season, setting a program record of 51.65 in the 400m dash. At the Big 12 Championships, she delivered a strong performance, finishing fifth in the 400m (54.68). Fagan also captured three victories in the 400m during the regular season.
Walker made history by becoming the first Bearcat ever to qualify in the 400m hurdles, registering a program record time of 57.16 to claim 12th place. The freshman has been impressive throughout the season, highlighted by her incredible performance at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, where she set a program record of 13.13 in the 100m hurdles for fourth place, while also earning third in the 400m hurdles (57.43).
// FOLLOW & SUPPORT THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Track and Field/Cross Country, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsTFXC on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
To support the Bearcats Track and Field program click HERE.
The 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field from June 11 to 14.
Fans can watch the Championships on the ESPN family of networks. The first two days of the meet (June 11-12) will be broadcast on ESPN, while coverage of Friday and Saturday (June 13-14) will air on ESPNU.
// THE EUGENE 8
Cincinnati made school history by qualifying eight individual athletes to Eugene. This marks Cincinnati's largest group of athletes at nationals since 2017, when they also sent eight athletes, which included four from their 4x100 relay team.
The eight Bearcats representing the Queen City in the Beaver state are – Fred Moudani-Likibi (Shot Put), Ryan Rieckmann (Javelin), Juliette Laracuente-Huebner (Heptathlon), Orry Willems (Hammer Throw), Amanda Ngandu Ntumba (Discus & Shot Put), Kya Epps (200m), Davenae Fagan (400m) and Macaela Walker (400m Hurdles).
// BEARCAT SCHEDULE
*All times are EST*
WEDNESDAY – JUNE 11 (MEN)
Hammer – 4:30 PM (Orry Willems)
Javelin – 8:15 PM (Ryan Rieckmann)
Shot Put – 9:10 PM (Fred Moudani-Likibi)
THURSDAY – JUNE 12 (WOMEN)
400m – 8:41 PM (Davenae Fagan)
Shot Put – 9:10 PM (Amanda Ngandu Ntumba)
400m Hurdles – 9:14 PM (Macaela Walker)
200m – 9:29 PM (Kya Epps)
FRIDAY – JUNE 13 (HEPTATHLON)
100m Hurdles – 2:45 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
High Jump – 3:45 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
Shot Put – 5:45 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
200m – 9:43 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
SATURDAY – JUNE 14 (WOMEN)
Discus – 3:30 PM (Amanda Ngandu Ntumba)
Long Jump – Heptathlon – 6:30 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
Javelin – Heptathlon – 7:45 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
800m – Heptathlon – 10:43 PM (Juliette Laracuente-Huebner)
// DOUBLE THREAT
Amanda Ngandu Ntumba has earned her place among Cincinnati's most elite track and field athletes, becoming only the fourth Bearcat in program history to qualify for multiple
events at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The discus specialist from Saint-Étienne, France, punched her ticket to nationals with a powerful 59.43-meter throw that landed her in third place at the NCAA East First Round. But Ntumba's dominance didn't stop there – she also earned qualification in the shot put competition after launching a program-record throw of 16.85m. This remarkable heave not only secured her an 11th-place finish but also surpassed the previous school record of 16.79m held by Hall of Fame Bearcat Annette Echikunwoke.
Ntumba now stands alongside three legendary Cincinnati athletes in an exclusive multi-event club. Leading this distinguished group is Hall of Famer Al Lanier, whose national championship resume spans multiple years and events. Lanier dominated both indoor and outdoor competitions from 1971-1973, qualifying five times across the triple jump and long jump events during those seasons.
More recently, sprinter Caisja Chandler demonstrated her versatility with dual qualifications in separate years. She blazed her way to nationals in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes in 2021 and previously competed in the 200 meters while anchoring the 4x100-meter relay team in 2019.
Jasmine Cotton completes this exclusive quartet, having qualified for both the pentathlon and high jump at the 2012 indoor national championships.
Ntumba arrived at the NCAA First Rounds with momentum from her stellar performance at the Outdoor Big 12 Championships, where she captured second place in the discus with a 59.38m effort. Her consistency at the highest level reflects a season of record-breaking achievements.
The French native also holds the Cincinnati discus record after obliterating Jane Sensibaugh's 2022 mark of 55.15m by more than five meters. Ntumba's crowning moment came at the 2025 Texas Relays, where her massive 60.10m throw established her as the undisputed leader in the Bearcats' record books.
// MEASURED. MARKED. MOVING ON!
Fred Moudani-Likibi, Orry Willems and Ryan Rieckmann threw their way onto the national stage through dominant throwing performances, each earning their spots at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in TrackTown, USA.
Moudani-Likibi booked his trip to the Beaver state after taking home third place in the shot put with a throw of 19.71m at the NCAA East First Round. The Savigny-le-Temple, France native is a three-time first-team All-American pursuing his fourth honor. He recently claimed his third conference title after winning the 2025 Outdoor Big 12 Shot Put Championship with a throw of 20.28m.
During the indoor season, Moudani-Likibi earned his third All-America honor by finishing sixth in the shot put (19.63m) at nationals. He also holds the Bearcats' indoor (20.62m) and outdoor (20.54m) shot put records.
Willems set a new UC record after launching a 65.58m throw to earn ninth place in the hammer throw and qualify for the big dance. The Balen, Belgium native becomes the second Bearcat in school history to qualify for the NCAA National Championships in the hammer throw.
The other UC athlete to accomplish this feat was Hall of Fame Bearcat Annette Echikunwoke, the 2025 USA Olympic silver medalist qualified in 2016 and earned First Team All-America honors with an eighth-place finish.
Rieckmann also earned his spot in the national championships after unloading a throw of 67.90m to claim 10th place in the javelin. The Cheney, Washington native has had an impressive season, setting the program record in the javelin with a throw of 71.02m.
Rieckmann becomes the third Bearcat in school history to qualify for the NCAA National Championships in the javelin, joining Emelie Larsson (2012) and Brian Zimmerman (2010).
// LANE ASSIGNMENT: NATIONALS
Kya Epps, Davenae Fagan and Macaela Walker have blazed their trail to Eugene for a shot at a national title, each making their mark with outstanding performances at the NCAA East First Round.
Epps secured her spot by clocking a time of 22.82 seconds to capture eighth place in the 200m dash, becoming the fourth Bearcat ever to qualify in the event. She joins an elite group that includes Caisja Chandler (who qualified three times - twice outdoors in 2020 and 2019, once indoors in 2020), along with Chris Borzor (2020), Kenny Wade (2004) and Charlyn Ray (2002).
This outdoor season has been exceptional for Epps, who now holds the second-fastest times in program history in both the 100m (11.23) and 200m (22.82). At the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, she claimed third place with a 200m time of 22.99. Throughout the regular season, Epps has dominated, winning three 200m events.
Fagan powered her way to qualification with a 51.76 clocking in the 400m dash, good for ninth place. She becomes just the fourth Bearcat to qualify in the 400m, joining Kenya Woodall (2016, 2015), Antione Drakeford (2009) and Steven McElroy (2022).
The Stone Mountain, Georgia native has been dominant this season, setting a program record of 51.65 in the 400m dash. At the Big 12 Championships, she delivered a strong performance, finishing fifth in the 400m (54.68). Fagan also captured three victories in the 400m during the regular season.
Walker made history by becoming the first Bearcat ever to qualify in the 400m hurdles, registering a program record time of 57.16 to claim 12th place. The freshman has been impressive throughout the season, highlighted by her incredible performance at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, where she set a program record of 13.13 in the 100m hurdles for fourth place, while also earning third in the 400m hurdles (57.43).
// FOLLOW & SUPPORT THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Track and Field/Cross Country, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsTFXC on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
To support the Bearcats Track and Field program click HERE.