Utica, NY (May 8, 2026) – Through two days of the NJCAA Track and Field Championship, the highlight performance goes to sophomore Maci Abbatessa (Danvers) as she captured the NJCAA national title in the women's shot put on her final throw with a toss of 10.69 meter in wet conditions to put herself of the runner-up by .01 meters.

Abbatessa becomes the programs first individual national champion since 2011 when NECC Hall of Famer Noelia Figuereo captured the champions in the 100 meter.

Abbatessa also broke her own school record in the hammer throw with a toss of 34.55 meters and placed 9^th to finish just off the podium. She also finished 9^th in the javelin.

Both the women's 4x100meter relay and Janelis Uviedo (Lawrence) in the triple jump also both recorded 9^th place finishes.

Several Knights also saw personal best performances on the championship stage. Mia Ruiz (Haverhill) placed 17^th in the 100 with a time of 13.32. Teriq Goodman (Worcester) placed 29^th in the 100 (11.58) and 25^th in the 200 (22.99). Uveido also improved her school record time in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 19.15.