• Collins bettered the NJCAA qualifying standard with a time of 18:38.86
• Spencer also bettered the qualifying standard with a time of 18:40.07
• NJCAA National Championships will be held March 7 and 8 at Lubbock, Texas

Two members of the DMACC women's track & field team, sophomores Grace Collins of Johnston and Kayden Spencer of Boone, have bettered the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) standard for the women's 5K run and will run in the event at the 2025 NJCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships March 7 and 8 at Lubbock, Texas.

Collins has a season best of 18 minutes, 38.97 seconds in the event and Spencer's best time is 18:40.07. The NJCAA qualifying standard for the event is 18:48.86. The qualifying standard is based on times on a 200-meter banked track and since Collins and Spencer ran on a flat track, they were both given a time conversion. Collins' official time is 18:30.47 and Spencer's official time is 18:31.56.

Collins and Spencer will join other members of the DMACC women's track & field team and members of the DMACC men's track & field team in the NJCAA Region 11 Championships Feb. 21 and 22 at Storm Lake. Top finishers in each individual event will advance to the national championships.