Ottumwa, IA – Sophomore Raynier Galvez (Paterson, NJ/Passaic County) of the Indian Hills Men's Track & Field squad has been named the 2025-26 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday.
Galvez becomes just the second individual in program history to earn the prestigious national honor, joining former standout Kenny Bednarek (2018-19).
"Raynier is a rare breed," stated head coach Brent Ewing. "His competitiveness, work ethic, and belief in himself set him apart from everyone else. I have never met a grittier, more determined individual than him. Raynier is truly a class act and one of the most distinguished student-athletes to ever come through Indian Hills Community College. I am incredibly grateful he entrusted me to guide him during his college journey."
Galvez capped an unprecedented career at Indian Hills by winning the 2026 NJCAA DI Outdoor 800-meter national championship in Hobbs, NM, the second consecutive 800m title for the Paterson, NJ native. Galvez also earned a national runner-up performance by anchoring the Warriors' 4x800m relay squad.
Galvez, the 2026 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, continued his unprecedented run as a Warrior during the 2025-26 campaign. The sophomore made international headlines on April 24, running the fastest 800-meter run time in National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) at the John McDonnell Invite in Fayetteville, AR. The sophomore cruised to a time of 1:44.14, a mark that leads all levels of collegiate track in 2026.
The 10-time NJCAA All-American and five-time school record holder has produced four first-place finishes during the outdoor campaign, including a school record mark of 7:20.35 in the men's 4x800-meter relay at the 2026 Texas Relays.
Galvez is set to take his talents to Penn State University next year.
The Galvez Files
- 2026 USTFCCCA NJCAA DI Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year
- 2026 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year
- 2025 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year
- 3x NJCAA National Champion
- 10x NJCAA All-American
- 2x NJCAA Region 11 Champion
- 4x USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week
- 6x ICCAC Athlete of the Week
- 1x NJCAA Athlete of the Week
- 5x school record holder
Looking for Indian Hills Athletics information straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter and mobile alerts to receive news, scores, highlights, and more in real-time: INDIAN HILLS ATHLETICS NEWSLETTER