EMPORIA, KANSAS -- Summer Stevenson had the perfect ending to a sensational season and highlighted a banner day for the Cal State LA's women's track and field team by winning a national championship in the triple jump at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday.

Shortly after teammate Kailea Satterwhite earned All-America honors with a fourth-place finish in the discus, Stevenson took the lead after a personal best of 42-5.25 on her third of six attempts at the Francis G. Welch Stadium. She maintained the advantage, although not without a major scare from Mikaela Miles of Embry-Riddle, who wound up second with a jump of 42-4.75 that came on her final attempt, just one-half inch behind Stevenson's winning effort.

Stevenson's national championship is the 51st in women's track - both indoor and outdoor - and including AIAW, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I. Cal State LA's last individual national championship came in 2024 when Jonon Young captured the indoor triple jump championship.

"Becoming a national champion is an incredible feeling and a reflection of the work my coaches, teammates, and I have put in all season," Stevenson said. "I'm thankful for the support system around me and proud to represent my school at the highest level. This achievement motivates me to keep pushing for even more."

The last outdoor national championship for Cal State LA's women's track and field team came from Calista Lyon in the discus in 2012.

Stevenson also became the California Collegiate Athletic Association's first individual national champion since 2017.

She also claimed Cal State LA's first national title in the outdoor triple jump since school record holder Francesca Carver won the event with a mark of 42-8 in 1995. Stevenson's mark on Friday is No. 2 all-time and less than three inches behind Carver's school record.

"Coaching Summer is a joy. She just welcomed her first child, who is now 9 months old. I assured her that we would take our time and pay attention to her body's signals to help her advance," Cal State LA assistant coach Sean Fernandes said. "Our aim was to reach the national championships and build her strength to secure a victory.  She placed her trust in me, and together we enabled her to excel and achieve her first NCAA National Championship."

Stevenson was in outstanding form entering the championships and showed tremendous improvement late in the season. She won the California Collegiate Athletic Association championship in the triple jump with a mark of 41-4.25 and was named the CCAA Newcomer of the Meet. She then improved that mark a week later at Azusa Pacific, recording an effort of 42-4 that moved her up to No. 2 in the nation. 

As one of the top favorites on Friday, Stevenson improved her mark once again and won a national championship.

Satterwhite, the CCAA champion in the discus, also recorded a personal best on Friday. She had a mark of 168-8, which was more than five feet better than her previous best of 163-5. That qualifying mark placed her 12th in the field entering the championships. She jumped up to third place after that best mark that came on her third attempt. Her new best mark is No. 6 all-time at Cal State LA.

"I was very nervous coming into this meet. I wanted to come out and show what I've been working all year for. I am beyond grateful to even be here," Satterwhite said. "I did this for my daughter. I wanted to set a prime example for her that even when obstacles are in the way, they should never stop you. This journey wasn't easy, but every sacrifice and challenge was worth it. I am beyond grateful to have placed fourth in the discus throw at my first-ever national competition. I wanted my daughter to see that hard work, perseverance, and faith can carry you through anything. No matter what the outcome was today."

Said assistant coach Steve Sargiannis:"I'm incredibly proud of Kailea and the way she competed today. This week, she fully locked in — not only through focused training, but through intentional visualization of every possible scenario before stepping into the ring. After channeling all of her nervous energy into the first throw, she regrouped, trusted her technique, and responded with her third-best throw of the season. What happened next was extraordinary. She unleashed a throw nearly two meters farther than her personal best. That performance ultimately earned her fourth place overall and secured her first NCAA DII All-American honor. Today was a testament to her resilience, composure under pressure, and belief in herself when it mattered most."

The day turned into a late-May Mother's Day for Cal State LA's women's track and field team.

"What is truly impressive is that these two young women are new mothers. Instead of giving up on their education and track and field careers, they have shown remarkable perseverance to excel as students, athletes, and mothers," Cal State LA head track and field coach Tina Fernandes said. "It has been inspiring to observe these young women striving since the beginning of the year. Their determination has not only sparked enthusiasm within the women's team, but has also motivated them to continue their hard work and achieve outstanding accomplishments.

"Summer has achieved the distinction of being our inaugural (outdoor) NCAA Champion. Kailea, a sophomore competing at the national level for the first time, demonstrated her capabilities by achieving a personal best and securing fourth place.

"I also take pride in my coaches, Sean Fernandes and Steven Sargiannis, for their commitment alongside their student-athletes and their patience in nurturing their development. We are proud to be a family-oriented team and aim to provide support whenever possible.This marks Coach Sean Fernandes' second NCAA Champion in the women's triple jump. Rather than applying excessive pressure, he concentrated on enhancing their athletic skills. I am excited to see the continued success of Summer and his other jumpers.This is Coach Steven Sargiannis' third season. My heart swells with pride for the growth and bond he has formed with his group. I notice the care and dedication he exhibits, and I am confident that we will see even more remarkable progress."

For the men's team, Drew Hill also competed on Friday and finished 13th overall in the 200 with a time of 21.10. He earned All-America honors on Thursday in the 100 after recording the eighth-fastest time in the prelims. Wallace Aflamah and Nicholas Aninze also represented Cal State LA in prelims on Thursday.

"Our men delivered strong performances, and I am extremely proud of them. They have inspired our men's team and encouraged them to strive for greatness as a unified group," Tina Fernandes said. "Our Golden Eagles are continually developing both athletically and mentally and are making steady advancements in both their athletic and academic endeavors.  We will persist in our efforts to bring honor to Cal State Los Angeles."

Stevenson (10 points) and Satterwhite (5) earned 15 points for Cal State LA's women's team, which has the Golden Eagles in sixth place with one day remaining, although the Golden Eagles don't have anyone competing on Saturday.