Contact: Emily Zadny, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
(Written by Joy Herzog, Student Sports Information Assistant)
May 8, 2018 - North Central College junior women's track and field athlete Naomi Yamane started track and field in 7th grade because her friends were involved. While most people were involved in the different track events, Yamane decided to start participating in shotput and then continued into high school.
When her junior year of high school came along, she never considered competing in collegiate sports until North Central's head women's track and field coach Kari Kluckhohn reached out to her.
"I never did consider Wheaton College, probably because of how close it is to home," said the Wheaton, Ill. native. "Initially, I wanted to go to school far away, possibly in a different state for the experience".
Even though there is a strong rivalry between Naperville and Wheaton, Yamane ultimately found that North Central was the place to be. "Once I visited North Central, I knew it was the environment I wanted to be in. It is like its own little community that makes it seem like I am away from home, but it's especially nice being so close to the downtown," she said. "My parents were very open to the idea and were very supportive."
With everybody on board with the school, Yamane also looked at the athletic side of things and found the track and field team to be a great fit. "I chose North Central because of Coach Kari and her philosophy," she said. "I like the close relationships, focusing on a smaller number of athletes, and being able to do it for fun."
During her three years on the team, Yamane has been very successful. Her hard work has shined brightly to her coaches and teammates, as she is one of the captains for the track and field team. She has been setting North Central personal bests, participated in several College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championships, received multiple academic all-CCIW award, and was recently named a CCIW Athlete of the Week for Women's Track and Field on Apr. 9. All of that is only the tip of the iceberg.
As Yamane continues to be a leader on the field, she has bigger goals in mind for this season, including qualifying for her first trip to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship. "I think currently I am 19th in the nation in hammer and 24th in shot put as of this past weekend and the top 22 qualifier for nationals," she said. "My goal is to move my marks so that I am within the top 22 for both."
She is already looking ahead to next season here she hopes to continue to help lead the team, hopefully to a conference championship, and qualify for nationals and ultimately earn All-America honors. For this junior, there is no stopping now.
The women's track and field team placed fifth at the 2018 CCIW Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by North Central, on May 4-5. The Cardinals will host one of two last-chance qualifying meets, beginning on Thursday, May 10 with the Dr. Keeler Invitational.
