KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University Athletics is set for one of the biggest weeks of the season as two Eagles prepare to compete at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, hosted May 20-22, at Karl Straus Track in Asheville, North Carolina. 

Representing Northwest on the national stage will be Josiah Jaquith and Rachel Elliott, who both earned national qualifying marks during an impressive outdoor season for the Eagles.

Jaquith will open competition for Northwest in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase. Preliminary races are scheduled for Wednesday at 4:55 p.m. PDT. The sophomore has been a consistent presence for the Eagles throughout the season, continuing to improve in one of track and field's toughest events. Combining endurance, speed, and technique over barriers and water jumps, the steeplechase requires versatility, and Jaquith has proven himself among the top competitors in the NAIA.

Throughout the outdoor season, Jaquith delivered strong performances in conference and invitational meets, helping solidify his place at nationals. His appearance at the championship meet marks another step forward for Northwest's distance program and highlights the growth of the Eagles on the national level.

Elliott will compete in the women's 800 meters, with preliminary races beginning Thursday at 11:30 a.m. PDT. One of the top middle-distance runners in the Cascade Collegiate Conference this season, Elliott has consistently posted elite performances while competing against some of the strongest competition in the region.

Known for her strength and closing speed, Elliott has been a key contributor for Northwest throughout the year. Her qualification for the national championships comes after a standout season that saw her continue to raise the standard for the Eagles' women's track and field program.

The NAIA Outdoor National Championships bring together the top athletes from across the country for three days of elite competition. Athletes advancing through the preliminary rounds will move on to championship finals later in the week with the opportunity to earn All-American honors and compete for national titles.

Northwest enters championship week with momentum and excitement as the Eagles continue to make their mark on the national stage. With Jaquith and Elliott representing the program in Asheville, the Northwest community will be cheering on the Eagles from across the country.