Ottumwa, IA – Freshman Joseph McDonald Jr. (Kingston, NY/Kingston) made a splash in his collegiate debut, setting a new Indian Hills Men's Track & Field record at the Washburn Alumni Invitational. For his efforts, McDonald has been named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Athlete of the Week.
Making his inaugural debut with the Warriors, McDonald starred in a pair of field events to lead Indian Hills at the Washburn Indoor Athletic Facility. The freshman set a new Indian Hills record with a dominant performance in the high jump while setting the third-best mark in school history in the men's long jump.
McDonald took first-place overall in the men's high jump invite with a new program standard of 2.15 meters. McDonald cleared his first four attempts, setting a school record in three consecutive jumps, before ascending the leaderboard to become the first athlete in program history to clear seven feet in the event. McDonald's mark also surpassed the eventual national championship mark of 2.12 meters at the 2025 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Indoor National Championship in Lubbock, TX.
McDonald also added a stellar performance in the long jump, placing second overall with a mark of 7.26 meters. McDonald's mark, good enough for third all-time in school history, earned a runner-up finish at the Washburn Alumni Invitational.
McDonald, a four-time New York State High School state champion, becomes the eighth individual in program history to earn USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honors. The Warriors, who have claimed 14 USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honors all-time, have now earned at least one national athlete of the week honor in each of the last five seasons.
The Warriors return to action Friday, December 12 with the Iowa State Holiday Invitational in Ames, IA.
NEW YEAR - WHAT TO KNOW
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