From University of Chicago Athletics
On the final day of the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the weather decided to add drama to the high-stakes proceedings. Rain halted all the action at the Irwin Belk Track during the afternoon session, interrupting a bevy of events that were already in mid-stream.
One of the affected events was the women's triple jump. University of Chicago's Isabel Maletich was looking to go two-for-two on the weekend – she had won the national long jump title two days prior. But the Maroon junior proved unflappable. She saved her best for last, winning the NCAA triple jump national championship on her final leap.
After two fouls to start the prelims, Maletich dug deep on her third attempt and landed at 12.15 meters to advance to the finals. That mark kept her in second place up until the sixth round.
"In the finals, not much changed until the final round," said UChicago Head Coach Chris Hall. "Isabel had fouled her first two attempts and on the final rotation, the Wisconsin-Eau Claire athlete had a huge jump that moved her to first and Isabel into third place. Her response was remarkable. While the Eau Claire team was still celebrating, Isabel took no time and came down the runway with a final jump that moved her back into first with an outdoor school record and the best jump in the NCAA this year. She is an absolute 'gamer'. Some people just rise up to the moment and no doubt Isabel is that type of athlete. Pressure only seems to make her better."
The dramatic last round saw John Carroll University go 12.31 meters and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire post 12.29 meters. However, Maletich's jump of 12.38 meters smashed her own outdoor school record and vaulted her to victory. Her previous school record of 12.27 meters was set just nine days earlier on May 20.
Maletich also became UChicago's second athlete to win at least three NCAA championships in the modern era (2021 outdoor triple jump, 2021 outdoor long jump, 2019 indoor long jump). Rhaina Echols (Class of 2000) won four national titles as a Maroon between women's cross country and track & field.
UChicago had two first-year women make their NCAA debuts on Saturday. Molly Laumakis and Lucy Groothuis both placed 18th in their respective events. Laumakis recorded a top shot-put heave of 12.66 meters, while Groothuis finished the 5,000 meters in a time of 17:44.75.
As a team, the Maroons finished in eighth place in the team standings with 29 points. The women compiled two national titles and four All-American awards.