Ottumwa, IA – Freshman Tate Joens (Cedar Rapids, IA/Cedar Rapids Prairie) continued to rack up accolades following a record-breaking performance for the No. 1 nationally ranked Indian Hills Men's Track & Field team. Joens was named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Indoor Track & Field National Athlete of the Week, announced Wednesday by the national office.

Joens, who was tapped as the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week on Tuesday, garnered national recognition for his performance at the NJCAA Region 11 Indoor Track & Field Championship over the weekend. Joens set two school records on his way to winning the Region title in the men's weight throw.

Joens shattered his own school record in the men's weight throw with the top distance among all NJCAA participants this year on Friday night. The freshman posted a mark of 18.56 meters, more than 1.5 meters better than his previous personal best to earn a spot at the top of the podium. For his effort, Joens became the first weight throw champion in school history.

Joens followed up on Saturday with another record-breaking performance with a distance of 16.62 meters in the shot put to place third overall for the Warriors. Joens' shot put mark was good enough for eighth-best in the nation this year as the freshman became the first individual to earn a podium spot in the event since 2019.

Next up for the Warriors is the 2024 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Gainesville, FL March 1-2.

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