RESULTS

EUGENE, OR - Calvin freshman Ellia Agar competed at the USA Under 20 Nationals Thursday evening at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon

Agar (Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian HS) took 14^th in the race in a time of 11:39.02.

Remarkably, the race marked just the fourth steeplechase competition of Agar's career but came on a national stage.

Agar's first steeplechase race came at the Calvin Invitational on April 12. Her next steeple came just under three weeks later at the MIAA Championships where she placed third in a time of 11:11.89 that qualified her for the USA Under 20 National Championships. She added a career-best time of 11:08.17 at the St. Francis Fighting Chance Invitational on May 9 in Joliet, Illinois.

Running in a talented field of athletes, Agar was unable to match her times from early May but competed in strong fashion.

"This meet was an incredible experience for Ellia," said Calvin distance coach Nicole Kramer. "She ran a smart race, maintained good positioning and navigated all the barriers well. The field did not get out fast but quickly ramped up like an accordion. As the only (NCAA) D3 runner in the field, Ellia finished a huge freshman season and made history for Knight Nation in the process."

Thursday's race concluded a 2024-25 running season that saw Agar achieve great success. During the cross country season, she earned All-MIAA Second Team and also Great Lakes All-Region honors. She later ran at the NCAA III Cross Country Championships. Then scored points for Calvin at both the MIAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships and continued on to qualify for the USA Under 20 Championships.

Agar's race was yet another standout steeplechase performance for Calvin track and field in 2025. On the men's side, Calvin took three of the top four spots in the steeplechase at the MIAA Outdoor Championships including a conference title by Eric Swinson. On the women's side, Calvin swept the top three spots led by MIAA champion Sophie Bull. At the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Bull and Jenna Allman both earned All-America honors highlighted by Bull's national championship finish in the race. Bull currently holds a B' qualifying time for the USA National Championships which are set to be held in August.