GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Izabelle Trefts (Jr.) of The Evergreen State College won the NAIA Championship in the women's 3,000-meter race walk at the 2025 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday, Feb. 28 at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center. Trefts earned All-America status while setting the Evergreen school record and the Alachua County facility record with a time of 13:53.46.

It was the second national title for Trefts in the indoor 3,000-meter race walk. She also won the race walk at the 2023 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships while attending Columbia College in South Carolina before transferring to Evergreen.

Other recent championships for the Geoducks include current Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Zeb Hoffman winning the NAIA Championship in the men's hammer throw at the 2016 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and Alauna Carstens (Jr., So. in indoor track) winning the NAIA Marathon Championship in December of 2024.

Trefts won this year's championship in the 3,000-meter race walk by 27.52 seconds. Alexa Governor from University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) was second in 14:20.98 and Ashlyn Poulin from Southeastern University (Fla.) was third in 14:27.52. Ava Newkirk of Cumberlands placed fourth at 14:37.69. Grace Forrest from University of Rio Grande (Ohio) was fifth at 14:42.00.

"I'm really happy with my race," Trefts said. "I went into it trying to stay relaxed and focus on my form and staying consistent, and I kept that mindset throughout the race. I really wanted to get a personal record and break that 14-minute mark, and I'm really happy that I was able to do that. I had a really fun race, and I am so happy with my win and very excited about my PR."

Evergreen's coaches also were happy with Trefts' race.

"What an epic performance from Izabelle!" Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson commented. "Since arriving on our beautiful campus in August, we had the goal of winning this championship! The last few months of training have had some high moments, and low moments, but she remained positive throughout. Seeing Izabelle conquer the race walk was a really special moment."

""As an athlete, I always wanted an NAIA Championship win and never got it," said Evergreen Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett. "I gained a lot of knowledge after I graduated and feel so privileged to be able to pass that knowledge down to the athletes I coach. Izabelle's win today was all her. You can coach and talk to athletes, but being able to execute is something that only the athlete can do. She made the race her own and never let up. We are so proud!"

Later on Friday, Alauna Carstens (Jr., So. in indoor track) will compete for Evergreen in the preliminary heats of the women's 3,000-meter run. The event is set to begin at 4:15 p.m. EST / 1:15 p.m. PST. The final in the 3,000-meter run will be held on Saturday, March 1.