The NCAA Track & Field Division I Outdoor Championships 2025 are underway in Eugene, Oregon — and for Indian athletics fans, all eyes will be on four rising stars who have earned their place at one of the most prestigious collegiate meets in the world.
Representing different universities across the United States, Lokesh Sathyanathan, Selva Prabhu, Sharvari Parulekar, and Krishna Jayasankar Menon will all compete with the best in the U.S. between June 12 and 15.
Here’s a closer look at the Indian quartet who have made it to the finals, their journeys so far, and what to expect.
Lokesh Sathyanathan (Men’s Long Jump) – June 12, 6:10 AM IST
India’s top collegiate long jumper, Lokesh Sathyanathan from Tarleton State University, is entering the NCAA finals in peak form. Earlier this year, Lokesh made headlines by leaping 8.14m, the best mark in NCAA men’s long jump this season and a new lifetime best. That mark also stands as the fourth-best jump in NCAA West Regionals, securing his place in the national finals at Hayward Field.
He enters the competition not just as a qualifier, but a genuine title contender. His performance at the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championships — where he cleared 7.81m to take gold — further cemented his consistency on the circuit.
Lokesh will open India’s campaign at Eugene, with the men’s long jump final scheduled for Wednesday night in the U.S. (early Thursday morning in India).
Selva Prabhu (Men’s Triple Jump) – June 14, 5:40 AM IST
Selva Prabhu, competing for Kansas State University, has had a comeback season after a challenging injury spell last year. He punched his ticket to the NCAA finals with a season-best jump of 16.49m (+2.0 m/s wind) at the West Prelims. That mark was good enough for second place overall in the qualifying round, a remarkable return to form.
Selva is no stranger to big stages and has previously competed at Hayward Field earlier this season. His entry into the NCAA finals is his most significant step forward since his recovery, and the triple jump final on June 14 offers him a big chance to make his mark in U.S. collegiate athletics.
His personal best remains over 16.70m, and if he can find that extra push, he could be in medal contention.
Sharvari Parulekar (Women’s Triple Jump) – June 15, 6:40 AM IST
Representing the University of Louisville, Sharvari Parulekar will make her NCAA Outdoor Championships debut in the women’s triple jump. She secured her finals berth from the East Regionals with a clutch leap of 12.93m, the best all-conditions jump in her university’s history.
Parulekar’s upward trajectory has been consistent this season. She set a wind-aided mark of 13.46m (+4.7 m/s) at the ACC Championships, which ranks as the third-best all-conditions jump by an Indian woman in 2025. Her final jump at that meet moved her to second place and caught the attention of Indian athletics watchers.
She will now look to break into the elite 13.50m territory legally and aim for a top-8 finish in Eugene, which would be a massive achievement in her NCAA debut.
Krishna Jayasankar Menon (Women’s Discus Throw) – June 15, 6:10 AM IST
Krishna Jayasankar has quietly become one of India’s top prospects in throws. Studying and competing for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Krishna booked her ticket to the NCAA finals with a massive personal best of 55.61m in the women’s discus at the West Regionals.
That performance — one of the best by an Indian woman in recent memory — also helped her break into the top tier of NCAA discus throwers for the first time. She had already made waves earlier this year by breaking the 16m mark in shot put indoors, qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the process.
Now, with momentum and confidence behind her, Krishna will enter the discus final looking to breach the 56m mark and potentially aim for a finals finish in the top 12.
A Landmark Moment for Indian Collegiate Athletics
It’s the first time in recent years that four Indian athletes have qualified for the NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships a testament to both their individual efforts and the growing footprint of Indian athletics in U.S. collegiate sports.
From jumps to throws, each athlete is on the cusp of breaking into elite territory. Their presence in Eugene not only reflects personal milestones but also represents a new chapter for Indian athletics on the global stage. With the World University Games, Asian Athletics Championships, and ultimately the Paris 2028 Olympic cycle ahead, these performances will hold significant value for selectors and fans alike.
Schedule Snapshot (IST Timing):
- June 12 – Lokesh Sathyanathan (Men’s Long Jump) | ⏰ 6:10 AM IST
- June 14 – Selva Prabhu (Men’s Triple Jump) | ⏰ 5:40 AM IST
- June 15 – Krishna Jayasankar Menon (Women’s Discus Throw) | ⏰ 6:10 AM IST
- June 15 – Sharvari Parulekar (Women’s Triple Jump) | ⏰ 6:40 AM IST
Best of luck to our Indian athletes!
Let’s hope Eugene is the launchpad to even greater heights for these promising talents.