Lewiston Athletes Advance to Finals at Indoor Nationals

Kobe Wessels and Madigan Kelly set school records and will compete for All-American honors.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Lewiston natives Kobe Wessels and Madigan Kelly had standout performances at the second day of the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships on Friday. Wessels set a school record to advance to the final in the 1000m, and Kelly raced her way to the 60m hurdles final. Three other LC State athletes competed but did not advance.

Why it matters

This is a major accomplishment for the small town of Lewiston, as two of its athletes have made it to the finals of the prestigious NAIA Indoor National Championships. Their success highlights the strength of the track and field program at LC State and the development of young talent from the local community.

The details

Wessels bested times run by LC State legends to finish fifth in the prelims of the 1000m with a time of 2:25.99, beating the school record set in 2022. Kelly finished third overall in the preliminary round of the 60m hurdles with a season-best time of 8.53. The other LC State athletes - Emily Collins in the 600m, Camille Ussher in the 800m and Jedidiah Barnaby in the 60m dash - did not advance to the finals.

  • The 2026 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships took place on March 6-7, 2026.
  • The second day of competition was on Friday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Kobe Wessels

A Lewiston native competing for LC State, he set a school record to advance to the final in the 1000m event.

Madigan Kelly

A Lewiston native competing for LC State, she raced her way to the final in the 60m hurdles event.

Mike Collins

The head coach of the LC State track and field team.

Emily Collins

A Lewiston native competing for LC State in the 600m event, she did not advance to the finals.

Camille Ussher

An LC State athlete competing in the 800m event, she ran the best race of her career but did not advance to the finals.

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What they’re saying

“As a coach, there are days when you aren't sure you are going to make it. One minute you go from thinking your heart is going to explode for joy for seeing one of your athletes achieving a huge goal and the next minute it is breaking because you see another one's dreams slip away. Today was one of those days. I could not be more excited for both Madigan and Kobe to make the finals, and outside of something catastrophic happening, earn All-American status tomorrow.”

— Mike Collins, Head Coach

“Such is the nature of sport, and such is the nature of track and field. This is why they are so great in the development of character in our young people in how they teach you the qualities of the importance of hard work, but also how to react appropriately to success and how to learn from and move on from disappointment. I am sure these lessons will make all of these young people better in the future.”

— Mike Collins, Head Coach

What’s next

Wessels and Kelly will compete in the finals of their respective events on Saturday, March 7, 2026, with the opportunity to earn All-American status.

The takeaway

The success of Kobe Wessels and Madigan Kelly at the NAIA Indoor Nationals showcases the strength of the track and field program at LC State and the development of young talent from the Lewiston community. Their achievements highlight the importance of hard work, perseverance, and the ability to overcome disappointment in the pursuit of athletic excellence.