GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Evergreen State College women's track and field team finished in 12th place in the women's team standings at the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships. The Geoducks were represented by three athletes who combined to earn first, second, and fourth place finishes to achieve the team score while earning All-American honors. The NAIA Indoor Championships were held at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center from March 5-7.

Evergreen's 12th place finish with 23 points in the women's standings was the best overall result by a Cascade Collegiate Conference team this season. College of Idaho, Eastern Oregon University, and Southern Oregon University tied for 43rd place with five points. Lewis-Clark State College tied for 55th with three points, and Corban University tied for 61st place with two points.

"Huge milestone for Evergreen Track and Field!" commented Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson. "The weekend went as perfectly as it could for us. I am so pleased, thankful, and appreciative to Maddy, Alauna, Izzy and Coach Katie! National Record, National Champion, National Runner-up, 3 All-Americans and a 12th place team finish in the Nation! What a great week to be a Geoduck!"

At last year's NAIA Indoor Championships in 2025, the Evergreen women's team also led the CCC. The Geoducks took 18th place with 16 points.

This year, Izabelle Trefts (Sr.) won the 3,000-meter race walk, while Madison Palek (So.) took fourth place in the race walk. Alauna Carstens (Jr.) placed second in the 3,000-meter run.

Trefts earned her third 3,000-meter race walk title as she set the NAIA and collegiate records with a time of 13:11.95. She won this year's race by more than a minute. Trefts also won the NAIA indoor race walk for Evergreen in 2025 and claimed the race walk title in 2023 while attending Columbia College (S.C.).

Palek's fourth place finish in the race walk this season was earned in 15:13.77. She reduced her personal record by 64 seconds. It was Palek's first trip to the NAIA Indoor Championships.

Carstens was second in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:51.95. It was her second consecutive top three finish in the event after taking third place in 2025. Carstens has registered All-American status eight times in the NAIA from her efforts in cross country, the marathon, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. She has won two NAIA Marathon Classic championships.