The 5 Biggest Takeaways From Oxy Track And Field's Landmark 2025 Season
Occidental College Track and Field (Oxy Track and Field) wrapped up its 2025 campaign with a series of impressive results, cementing its status as a competitive force within the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and on the national stage. As of the current date, December 26, 2025, the program is riding the momentum of a successful outdoor season that culminated in the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. The team’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence was on full display, with multiple athletes achieving national recognition and the college successfully hosting several major West Coast track meets.
The 2025 season was defined by breakthrough performances in both the men’s and women’s programs, showcasing the depth of talent nurtured by the Occidental coaching staff. From hosting the prestigious SCIAC Championships to sending a select group of student-athletes to the national meet in Geneva, Ohio, the Tigers continue to build on their storied history in collegiate athletics, particularly in distance and field events.
Occidental College Track and Field Program Profile & 2025 Season Snapshot
The Occidental College Track and Field program, affectionately known as "Oxy," competes at the NCAA Division III level and is a founding member of the SCIAC conference. The program is renowned for its academic rigor combined with high-level athletic competition, producing both All-Americans and USTFCCCA All-Academic honorees.
- Institution: Occidental College (Oxy)
- Location: Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California
- Conference: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC)
- Division: NCAA Division III
- Home Facility: Bill Henry Track (site of the famed Oxy Invite)
- Head Coach: Robert Bartlett (also Head Coach of Cross Country)
- Key Assistant Coaches: Tyler Yamaguchi (Assistant Coach), Pole Vault Coach (steben@oxy.edu)
- 2025 Men's SCIAC Finish: 5th Place
- 2025 Season Climax: NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships (Geneva, Ohio)
The 5 Biggest Takeaways from Oxy's Record-Breaking 2025 Season
The 2025 outdoor season was a testament to the Tigers' dedication, featuring significant milestones that will shape the future of the program. These key achievements highlight the team's national impact and regional dominance in Southern California track and field.
1. National Spotlight: Three Athletes Qualified for the NCAA DIII Championships
The most significant achievement of the 2025 season was the qualification of three Occidental student-athletes for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. This elite group traveled to the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, to represent the Tigers on the highest stage of Division III competition. Qualifying for the NCAA Championships is a monumental task, requiring athletes to post times or marks that rank them among the top competitors nationwide. This accomplishment underscores the high caliber of coaching and the rigorous training environment at Occidental.
- Impact: National exposure and validation of the program's ability to develop elite talent.
- Context: The appearance at the national meet represents the culmination of a season that included strong showings at the SCIAC Quad Cup and the Redlands Final Qualifier.
2. Hosting the Prestigious 2025 SCIAC Championships
Occidental College cemented its role as a central hub for West Coast track and field by hosting the 2025 SCIAC Track & Field Championships in late April. Hosting the conference championship is a major undertaking that provides the Tigers with a home-field advantage and a chance to showcase their historic Bill Henry Track facility. The men’s team delivered a strong performance on their home track, securing a 5th-place finish in the competitive SCIAC final standings. The women's team also competed fiercely against conference rivals like CMS and Pomona-Pitzer.
This event not only determined the conference champions but also served as a crucial qualifying opportunity for the NCAA regional and national meets. Occidental’s ability to successfully host a major championship reflects its organizational strength and commitment to the sport.
3. The Enduring Legacy of the Oxy Invite and Occidental Spring Break Classic
Beyond the SCIAC meet, Occidental College continued its tradition of hosting world-class events, most notably the annual Oxy Invite (also known as the Occidental Invitational) and the Occidental Spring Break Classic. These meets are vital components of the American track and field calendar, drawing not just Division III competitors but also athletes from Division I, NAIA, and post-collegiate elite runners. The 2025 Occidental Invite, held in early May, once again saw nationally-spotlighted results, with teams like Pomona-Pitzer posting significant marks.
The Oxy Invite is particularly famous for its fast times, especially in the middle-distance events, often serving as a last-chance qualifier for major championships. Hosting these high-profile meets provides the Occidental student-athletes with unparalleled exposure to top-tier competition, which is invaluable for their development.
4. Key Athlete Performances and Emerging Stars
While the focus is on the 2025 NCAA qualifiers, several other athletes made significant contributions throughout the season. The men's team saw strong performances in sprints and jumps, with athletes like Djasahn English competing in the 100-meter dash and other sprint events, posting competitive times at meets like the Redlands Final Qualifier. The program also benefits from a legacy of recent stars, including former SCIAC champions like LaShauna Porter and Austin DeWitz, whose past successes continue to inspire the current roster.
The success of the program is also evident in the cross-country side, with athletes like LeNay (who qualified for the 2024 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships) demonstrating the strength of Occidental's distance program, which directly feeds into the track team's success in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter events.
5. Academic Excellence: The USTFCCCA All-Academic Tradition
Occidental College’s commitment to the student-athlete model is consistently recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The program routinely earns USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, which require a team GPA of 3.1 or higher. Individually, athletes must maintain at least a 3.3 GPA while achieving a top-50 regional ranking in an individual event or a top-35 ranking in a relay. This dual success highlights the college’s culture where rigorous academics and high-level athletic performance are not mutually exclusive.
- Ethos: The program emphasizes the importance of balancing athletic training with scholarly pursuits.
- Recognition: These honors attract high-achieving student-athletes who value both academic rigor and competitive track and field.
The Future of Oxy Track and Field Under Coach Bartlett
Under the guidance of Head Coach Robert Bartlett, who also oversees the successful Cross Country program, Occidental Track and Field is poised for continued growth. Bartlett's leadership is credited with fostering an environment that has produced multiple NCAA qualifiers and strong SCIAC finishes. The coaching staff, including Assistant Coach Tyler Yamaguchi, focuses on comprehensive development across all track and field disciplines, from pole vault and javelin to the demanding 1500-meter and 3000-meter steeplechase events.
The team’s 2025 SCIAC performance, which saw the men’s team secure 5th place, demonstrates a solid foundation for future success. With a strong recruiting class and returning talent, the Tigers will be looking to climb the SCIAC standings and increase their representation at the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships in the upcoming seasons. The program remains a beacon of excellence in Southern California DIII athletics, maintaining a strong focus on both the track and in the classroom.
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