LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN - Southwestern Men's Track & Field junior
Lukas Nowlin recorded a second-place finish in the High Jump at the NCAA DIII Outdoor National Championships on Friday. Southwestern has never recorded a higher individual finish at a national event in the history of Southwestern Athletics under the DIII era. On Friday, Nowlin broke ground from a program and University level.
The junior surpassed expectations once again, coming inches away from being crowned a National Champion in the event after being seeded sixth. Entering Friday's competition, Nowlin sat at sixth in the nation with a jump of 2.10-Meters a few weeks ago. However, the improvement was rapid for Nowlin as his previous personal high was 2.01-Meters just a month ago.
Nowlin defied the odds at the NCAA DIII Indoor Championships with a fifth-place finish, securing the program's first Men's All-American. Furthermore, he tasted the moment and looked to go for the title this time. The Baytown native led the entire competition, clearing all five levels with no failure. He erupted with emotion upon clearing the 2.12-Meter height, which surpassed his own school record which was 2.10-Meters.
After five clears, the field of the best 22 athletes in the country was down to three athletes. Nowlin gave it three valiant efforts, but was not able to surpass 2.15-Meters as only one athlete was able to clear the distance from Rowan University who took the title. However, Nowlin was perfect through the 2.12-Meter distance which earned a podium second-place finish. After battling numerous injuries in the Outdoor season, Nowlin climbed to the top of the mountain and will have two more shots to earn the title his senior season.
Nowlin concluded his historic 2026 with a second and fifth place national High Jump finish as already the most decorated athlete in school history. He also garnered both SAA conference titles, two All-Region nods, and one SAA Jumps Athlete of the Year award. Congrats to Nowlin and the Pirate coaching staff on an incredible run.
