NEW ORLEANS, La. - Indiana Wesleyan junior Princess Kara capped off her outdoor season after being named the NAIA Women's Field Athlete of the Year for the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field season. She is the first Wildcat in program history to earn the honor since the awards creation in 2016. Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches after the conclusion of the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Marion, Indiana. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.

Kara, who hails from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, scored 20 points for Indiana Wesleyan at the 2024 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, sweeping the shot put and discus at her home facility. Her victory in the discus wasn't a surprise as she was reigning champion and entered with the year's leading mark of 54.14m (177-8), just short of her own NAIA record from last year (55.31m/181-6). In the shot she entered as the No. 5 seed and added more than a foot to her seasonal best with an effort of 15.10m (49-6½). She also won the discus at the Crossroads League Outdoor Championships and added a runner-up finish in the shot.

"As with most of our throwers this year, Princess had a great season," said Caleb Snyder, Head Track & Field Coach. "She is one of the most disciplined and dedicated athletes our program has, and it showed this year in her performances. More importantly, she has continued to learn more of what it looks like to tie her faith in Christ into every area of life, and it was fun to see her compete with joy as she won both of her national titles."

Kara is now a two-time USTFCCCA National Women's Field Athlete of the Year. She claimed the title in 2022 for the NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season at Central Arizona. Last season she was the NAIA Outdoor T&F National Champion in the discuss with a throw of 52.77m. In 2022, Kara won the national title in the discus with 56.51m (185' 5") and earned runner-up honors in the shot put. Kara holds the discus NJCAA national record with 56.51m (185' 4.8"). 

To view the full release from the USTFCCCA, click HERE.



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