Carstens named NAIA West Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year 

Alauna Carstens, of The Evergreen State College, was  named as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) West Region Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year for the 2025 season. 

She, along with the best athletes from every region, were honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The honors stem from the results of a poll of USTFCCA coaches.

"I'm very thankful to receive this award. It's a result of not just all the hours I've put into training, but also the positive atmosphere around me," Cartesns said.

"The early mornings, late practices, and double workout days have helped me grow in ways I didn't expect. I'm so thankful for the people who lift me up every day, reminding me no matter the result, the support always stays the same." 

After winning her first-ever NAIA marathon last December, Carstens has qualified for the 2025 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championship in three events and is ranked in the top 10 nationally in all of them. 

She qualified in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:40.70, in the mile run at 4:57.58, and in the 5,000-meter run at 17:15.53. All three marks are school records.

The first two school records were set two weeks ago in the Husky Classic, while the 5K record was done in the Riverfront Invite in early February. 

"Alauna is the distance queen and works hard to keep her status," said Evergreen Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett.

"Achieving three top 10 marks in three different events is no easy accomplishment. Every race she ran this winter was a NAIA "A" standard qualifier. That in itself speaks to the level of athlete Alauna is." 

Carstens, along with Izabelle Trefts in the 3,000-meter racewalk, will represent the Geoducks in the NAIA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center in Gainesville, Florida, from Feb. 27 to March 1.  

Data and scoring provided by The Evergreen State College Athletics Department.