Jack Kittle Reaches 400-Meter Finals At NCAA Championships

GENEVA, OH - Freshman sprinting sensation Jack Kittle (Chagrin Falls, OH / Chagrin Falls) was unable to find the right gear in his first race at the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, but he bounced back in a big way on Day 2 to advance to the finals of the 400-meter dash.

Seeded 14th in both the 200 meters and the 400 meters heading into the NCAA Division III Championships, Kittle finished 15th in the 200-meter dash on Thursday with a time of 21.58. While Kittle was well off the pace set by Sam Blaskowski of Wisconsin-Lacrosse (20.56), he was just .24 off the time recorded by the ninth-place finisher who took the last spot in the championship race. The 15th-place was good enough to earn Kittle second-team All-America honors, the first national award of his collegiate career.

There were three heats of the 400-meter dash first round, with Kittle set up to run in the first heat. He recorded a time of 47.64 to finish second in his heat behind Collin Conzemius of Wisconsin-Lacrosse. Kittle wound up with seventh-fastest time in the event.

"Jack came up a little short of his goal yesterday in the 200, but he did not let that discourage him," said Head Coach Paris Hilliard. "He came out today and was determined to make a final in the 400. I am excited to watch him compete in the finals tomorrow."

Kittle will race from the ninth lane in the 400-meter final at 2:10 p.m. on Saturday. Grant Nelson from Bethel has the top time of 46.20 coming into the final.

Written By: Ryan Maurer