National Championship
2021 NCAA Women's Track & Field – Outdoor Long Jump (5.88 meters)
2021 NCAA Women's Track & Field – Outdoor Triple Jump (12.38 meters)
May 27, 2021
GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Chicago's Isabel Maletich added her name to rarefied company with the second national long jump title of her career at the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She became the sixth Maroon to claim multiple NCAA championships in the modern era.
Maletich entered the day as the second seed in the women's outdoor long jump. Just one week earlier, the Maroon junior posted a season-best 5.96 meters at a qualifier meet that ensured her status as one of the favorites to win at the NCAAs. She had reached this stage previously in 2019 as a first-year, finishing as the national runner-up in the outdoor long jump by a mere two inches.
She would not be denied on late Thursday afternoon in Greensboro. Maletich's third jump of the day topped the field at 5.88 meters. Her closest competitor finished at 5.78 meters – a margin of 3.75 inches.
Maletich had previously won the NCAA indoor long jump title in 2019. It is the 11th national championship for UChicago track & field since the year 2000.
"Isabel has always been a big-meet performer," said UChicago Head Coach Chris Hall. "She seems to thrive in this type of environment. Even last week, she had to jump well just to qualify. She looked great today and seemed in control from the start. It makes me sad she didn't have the opportunity to compete in last year's national meets due to the COVID pandemic. Isabel is honestly one of the greatest jumpers in the history of Division III and she made the most of that opportunity today. I couldn't be more proud."
May 29, 2021
GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Chicago's Isabel Maletich saved her best for last, winning the NCAA triple jump national championship on her final leap at the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
After two fouls to start the prelims, Maletich dug deep on her third attempt and landed at 12.15 meters to advance to the finals. That mark kept her in second place up until the sixth round.
"In the finals, not much changed until the final round," said UChicago Head Coach Chris Hall. "Isabel had fouled her first two attempts and on the final rotation, the Wisconsin-Eau Claire athlete had a huge jump that moved her to first and Isabel into third place. Her response was remarkable. While the Eau Claire team was still celebrating, Isabel took no time and came down the runway with a final jump that moved her back into first with an outdoor school record and the best jump in the NCAA this year. She is an absolute 'gamer'. Some people just rise up to the moment and no doubt Isabel is that type of athlete. Pressure only seems to make her better."
The dramatic last round saw John Carroll University go 12.31 meters and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire post 12.29 meters. However, Maletich's jump of 12.38 meters smashed her own outdoor school record and vaulted her to victory. Her previous school record of 12.27 meters was set just nine days earlier on May 20.
Maletich also became UChicago's second athlete to win at least three NCAA championships in the modern era (2021 outdoor triple jump, 2021 outdoor long jump, 2019 indoor long jump). Rhaina Echols (Class of 2000) won four national titles as a Maroon between women's cross country and track & field.
