A Breakthrough Year for Dawson Cross Country and Track & Field

A Breakthrough Year for Dawson Cross Country and Track & Field
June 25, 2025

2024–25 Recap: A Breakthrough Year for Dawson Cross Country and Track & Field

The 2024–25 athletic year was a historic one for Dawson Community College's Cross Country and Track & Field programs, marked by national rankings, All-American honors, school records, and a continued commitment to academic excellence and community involvement.

Cross Country Highlights 

  • The women's cross country team climbed as high as #27 in the NJCAA DII National Coaches Poll.

  • Five women qualified for the NJCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships.

  • Sierra Summers led the charge with a 3rd-place finish at nationals and earned NJCAA All-American honors.

  • On the men's side, Peyton Summers and Aydin Jackson both qualified for the national championships, with Peyton placing 14th overall and receiving NJCAA All-American honors.

  • Academic excellence paralleled athletic success, with Abigail Stewart, Cody Harrington, and Aydin Jackson named to the All-Academic Cross Country Team.

  • Five school records were broken during the cross country season.

  • Three student-athletes earned spots on the Dean's Honors List.

Indoor Track & Field Highlights

  • Three Buccaneers punched their tickets to the NJCAA Indoor National Championships: Fernanda Hernandez, Nichole "Nikki" Roberts, and Zion Jackson-Collins.

  • Nikki Roberts achieved a Top 20 national ranking in the shot put.

  • The team shattered nine school records during the indoor season.

Outdoor Track & Field Highlights

  • Aries Lewis soared to a 2nd-place finish in the high jump at the NJCAA Outdoor Nationals, earning All-American honors.

  • Destiny Thompson and Mason Meier both placed 9th in the javelin throw at nationals.

  • Athletes achieved:

    • 4 Top 10 national rankings

    • 7 Top 25 national rankings

    • 10 Top 50 national rankings

  • A staggering 15 school records were set during the outdoor season.

  • The team upheld its academic integrity with a 3.15 cumulative GPA and three athletes named to the Dean's Honors List.

Community Engagement Highlights

  • Dawson hosted 30 middle school athletes from Wolf Point for a summer track and field camp emphasizing mental health awareness.

  • For the second year running, the program organized a well-attended coaches' hospitality event at the Shriners Track & Field Meet, with coaches from 36 high schools in attendance.

  • Buccaneer student-athletes gave back to the community, volunteering at various DCC and local events throughout the year.

DCC Track & Field and Cross Country continue to rise as a competitive force in the NJCAA while cultivating a culture of excellence both on and off the track. The 2024–25 season set a new standard for what it means to be a Dawson Buccaneer.