GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Izabelle Trefts (Sr.) of The Evergreen State College won her third NAIA title in the women's 3,000-meter race walk at the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday, March 6 while setting the NAIA record and the national collegiate record. Madison Palek (So.) from Evergreen finished in fourth place in the race walk.

Both Trefts and Palek were named NAIA All-Americans for their efforts. The NAIA Championships are being held at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center.

Trefts won this year's NAIA indoor race walk championship in 13:11.95. It was the fastest 3,000-meter women's race walk time in NAIA and collegiate history. Trefts previously won the NAIA indoor race walk championship for Evergreen in 2025 after winning the NAIA indoor title while competing for Columbia College (S.C.) in 2023.

On Friday, Trefts won the race by over a minute. Ashlyn Poulin from Southeastern University (Fla.) took second place in 14:15.58. Third place went to Heather Durrant from University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) with a time of 14:20.10. Palek was fourth in 15:13.77, as she lowered her personal record by 64 seconds. Leah Kuhn of Benedictine College (Kan.) placed fifth at 15:45.41, just in front of Anna Hart from William Woods University (Mo.), who claimed sixth place in 15:45.62.

"What an incredible race by Izzy!" Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson commented. "We knew the challenges ahead would make chasing the national record harder, with her lapping the entire field, but she did it anyway! Her composure all week and during today's competition shows why she is the best collegiate race walker ever. I am so incredibly proud:  Izabelle Trefts, national record holder, national champion."

In addition to winning three NAIA championships in race walking, Trefts has been an NAIA All-American four times. She took second place in the 5,000-meter race walk at the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to earn All-American in a second event.

"Izabelle executed her race plan to perfection," said Evergreen Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett. A new national record at the championship event is an incredible feat. We knew with 20 people in the race that it would be difficult to get the record, but Izabelle made it look easy. She led from the first step and walked away with her third indoor title. Wow, wow, wow!"

Palek was competing at an NAIA Championship for the first time. She recorded her first All-American honor. In only a few races, she has made great improvements in her race walk times.

"And Madison, in her first year of race walking, to be All-American is a phenomenal accomplishment," Burnett noted. "To witness the progression she has made in training leading up to her fourth place performance today has been so inspiring. Both Izzy and Maddy have great futures in the race walk!

"I am in awe of Maddy!" Pearson said. "What a perfect race for her! She followed her race plan perfectly, had a personal best by 64 seconds, and had amazing form racing today. We decided during our trip to Nebraska (earlier in the season) that our goal was to be an All-American, and that she did! Maddy Palek, fourth place, NAIA All-American! Congrats to her!"

Alauna Carstens (Jr.) will compete at the NAIA Indoor Championships in the women's 3,000-meter run on Saturday, March 7. The race is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. PST.

Photo Below:  Madison Palek, left, took fourth place, and Izabelle Trefts, second from right, was the winner, in the NAIA women's 3,000-meter race walk. Photo by Katie Burnett.