Principia College's track and field team arrived at Washburn University, ready to compete in their season's opening track meet. The venue's sleek banked track and state-of-the-art facilities set the stage for the Panthers' athletes to excel. Among them, freshman Sana Udoekong (US’24) emerged as a rising star whose debut was applauded across Principia's campus and etched into the record books.

The day began with Udoekong's lightning-quick sprint in the 60-meter dash, clocking in at 7.85 seconds. As the second-fastest time ever recorded at Principia, right behind the former 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic sprinter and Principia graduate, the legendary Ngozi Mwanamwambwa-Asinga (US’89, C’93). 

Next, Udoekong focused on the 200-meter dash, a race that would break Asinga's long-standing indoor school and conference record from 1992 by a full second. Udoekong crossed the finish line in 25.55 seconds, earning her a seventh-place finish among 47 competitors. Her incredible speed not only topped the conference rankings for the season but also placed her at 27th in all of Division III for the 200 meters. 

With such an incredible performance, it wasnt surprising that the Southern Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) awarded Udoekong with the title of Women's Track Athlete of the Week. Her dedication and rigorous training have been a testament to Principia College's competitive track and field program.

Udoekong, a British-Nigerian runner and scholar athlete, said, “I’m happy that all the work I put in is paying off. Breaking a sprint record at Prin was definitely one of my goals for this season, but I didn’t expect it to happen this soon. However, now that I have, it’s raised my expectations for myself and motivated me to set even higher goals, including breaking the 60-meter record.” 

For Udoekong, Principia College isn't just a setting—it provides the environment for her talents to flourish. With state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive community of coaches and teammates, she’s found herself empowered to run her race and push beyond her limits. 

“I’m grateful that Prin has such a great gym and indoor facility, which have been a huge help with training. And I’m thankful for the support from my coaches and teammates who have helped me overcome obstacles and continue improving.”  

Track and Field Head Coach Nick Barron (US’09) elaborated on the culture of excellence at Principia saying, “There is so much good being poured into this program. The environment here is truly special, shaped by the contributions of exceptional athletes and coaches over the years. The success we’ve achieved at the national level, considering our school’s size, is remarkable. The hard work of our athletes benefits the entire campus.” 

As the season continues, all eyes are on Sana Udoekong, as she chases new milestones and inspires future generations of Panther athletes.