Eleven Division I NCAA champions return this winter, all looking to defend their indoor crowns against a deep field of challengers.
Hereās a look at those indoor returning champions ā saving the returning outdoor champions for... the outdoor season ā not including relay champions, and their possible top challengers in their title defenses.
Men
Weight Throw: Kenneth Ikeji | Harvard
Top Challengers
- Tarik Robinson-OāHagan | Ole Miss
- Ruben Banks | Alabama
Can Kenneth Ikeji three-peat in the weight throw this year? I think he can, but it wonāt be easy. Tarik Robinson-OāHagan ā more on him later ā is one of the top throwers in the country and wants to make a push for the Bowerman this year; a weight throw title will help his case. Ruben Banks has also been in contention for the title in recent years.
Shot Put (sweep): Tarik Robinson-OāHagan | Ole Miss
Top Challengers
- Dylan Taggart | South Carolina
- Jason Swarens | Wisconsin
Tarik Robinson-OāHagan swept the shot put in 2024 and doesnāt plan on letting that title go anytime soon. However, Dylan Taggart and Jason Swarens were top-four finishers at indoor and outdoor championships and also want to win a title, so it will be an exciting battle.
800 meters: Rivaldo Marshall | Arkansas (Won at Iowa)
Top Challengers
- Nathan Green | Washington
- Sam Whitmarsh | Texas A&M
- Tinoda Matsatsa | Georgetown
Rivaldo Marshall transferred from Iowa to Arkansas this offseason and will look to defend his title in new threads. Heāll have plenty of competition this year as Nathan Green always contends for the 800 title, Sam Whitmarsh ran top-10 all-time 800 meter marks during the outdoor season and Tinoda Matsatsa is the top sophomore in the event.
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Women
60 meters: Brianna Lyston | LSU
Top Challengers
- Jacious Sears | Tennessee
- Jadyn Mays | Oregon
- Kaila Jackson | Georgia
Brianna Lyston is coming off a season where she became the second-fastest woman in NCAA 60 meter history, running 7.03 seconds. Sheāll be the favorite in the event this year, but keep in mind Jacious Sears ā the third-fastest woman ā could be making her return from an outdoor injury. Sears didnāt even make the 60 meter podium last year as those spots went to Kaila Jackson and Jadyn Mays. All four women have the potential to run sub-7.1 this year meaning this could be the fastest year in 60 meter history.
200 meters: JaMessia Ford | South Carolina
Top Challengers
- Jadyn Mays | Oregon
- Kaila Jackson | Georgia
- Dajaz defrand | Southern California
- Jayla Jamison | South Carolina
JaMeesia Ford wouldāve been the indoor freshman of the year if there was such an award, and sheāll look to avoid a sophomore slump as she tries to defend her 200 meter title. Ford will face competition from Mays and Jackson as both women look to double. Sheāll also have to out-sprint her own teammates like Jayla Jamison in the event. Watch out for Dajaz DeFrand, too; her transfer to Southern California from Florida State could be a game-changer.
800 meters (sweep): Juliette Whittaker | Stanford
Top Challengers
- Michaela Rose | LSU
- Roisin Willis | Stanford
Whittaker, Rose, Willis. 2025 will make it three years in a row that weāll be treated to a fantastic trio of 800 meter sprinters. Whittaker swept the 800 titles in 204, but Willis and Rose won the indoor and outdoor titles, respectively, in 2023. Weāre in for a treat across four laps indoors.
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High jump: Rachel Glenn | Arkansas
Top Challengers
- Elena Kulichecnko | Georgia
- Temitope Adeshina | Texas Tech
- Rose Yeboah | Illinois
Rachel Glenn used an epic collegiate-record-setting jump to win an all-time high jump battle in Boston last year for the title. She wasnāt able to replicate her success outdoors however, as the title was split between Elena Kulichecnko and Rose Yeboah, two of the top challengers to Glennās title defense indoors. Temitope Adeshina should also contend as she builds off of a fantastic freshman season.
Pole Vault: Hana Moll | Washingotn
Top Challengers
- Chloe Timberg | Rutgers
- Amanda Moll | Washington
Hana Moll took NCAA pole vaulting by storm as a freshman last year to win the indoor title. Moll will have to hold off veteran and outdoor champion Chloe Timberg in 2025 though. Moll also will battle her sister Amanda in her title defense, too.
Shot Put: Mya Lesnar | Colorado State
Top Challengers
- Alida Van Daalen | Florida
- Axelina Johansson | Nebraska
- Nina Ndubuisi | Texas
Mya Lesnar is the returning indoor shot put champion, but the event could go to anyone by the time we get to the 757 in March for the championship. Alida Van Daalen and Axelina Johansson are always threats to make the podium, and Nina Ndubuisi could make a leap during her sophomore season to reach the top.
Long jump: Sydney Willits | Iowa State
Top Challengers
- Alyssa Jones | Stanford
- Anthaya Charlton | Florida
- Nia Robinson | Arkansas
- Ida Breigan | UTSA
Sydney Willits won the indoor long jump title on the final jump in a thrilling battle. Expect more of the same in 2025 as Alyssa Jones and Anthaya Charlton enter their junior seasons, sophomore Ida Breigan comes off her first full college offseason and Nia Robinson returns as the veteran amongst the challengers.
Pentathlon: Jadin OāBrien | Notre Dame
Top Challengers
- Pippi Lotta Enok | Oklahoma
- Destiny Masters | Wichita State
- Annika Williams | Oregon
Jadin OāBrien went back-to-back in the pentathlon in 2023 and 2024. Sheāll try to close her career with a third title across the five-event gauntlet. Sheās the favorite this year once again. Some top challengers could be Pippi Lotta Enok, who won an outdoor combined events title two years ago. Destiny Masters and Annika Williams are two more challengers I think that could push for the podium.
š§ WHAT TO KNOW: Wind and scoring explained | Greatest venues | Best uniforms | The difference between indoor and outdoor seasons
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