Phantoms Show Out at Nationals with All-American Honors, Kaba as National Champion
Utica, NY—Delaware County Community College capped another historic season at the 2026 NJCAA Division III Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships May 7-9 at Mohawk Valley Community College with five Phantoms in competition and four medalist performances, including a first-place finish in the triple jump by Fatumata Kaba. Sprinter James Love and distance-athlete Cheyenne McCarthy joined Kaba as DCCC sophomores earning All-American recognition this year.
Kaba and McCarthy, representing DCCC Women's Track and Field, competed on day one. Starting at the triple jump, Kaba's first jump of the day was her best of the season. Her initial mark of 11.22m stood atop the leaderboard throughout the triple-jump competition and secured her first title as NJCAA DIII National Champion. Kaba placed second in the event in her Nationals debut last year. "I'm glad I got the chance to redeem myself in my jumps and capped off my final season on a good note." Kaba said.
"Fatu kicked off the National meet for the Phantoms in style, achieving her first National Champion title, and my first National Champion as DCCC head coach," said Cara Fordenbacher. "This was a moment two years in the making, getting her redemption from last season and battling through a difficult season. She was finally able to hit over 11m and that was what really secured her title. I am thrilled for her and what she was able to do to crown her career as a DCCC Phantom."
Next up, McCarthy took on the 10,000m run, battling over the six-mile race. Settling into eighth place after the first mile-and-a-half, she was able to hold her position the rest of the way to secure the final spot on the podium and earn her first NJCAA DIII All-American status. Her time of 48:05.71 was a personal best and set a new school record in the event. "I'm happy I got eighth and that I was able to run a PR as well and I'm grateful my coaches cheered for me at every lap," McCarthy said.
Transferring in to DCCC as a sophomore this season, McCarthy is the first Phantom to compete in the 10,000m at Nationals and is now in the books as DCCC's first All-American in the event. "Cheyenne has truly made her mark on our program in just one year," said Fordenbacher.
"Our goal was for Chey to start the race in the chase pack around sixth-to-eighth place and hold on for an All-American finish. She was able to do so finishing eighth in the nation and snagging a 35-second PR in the process," said Chris Coates, volunteer assistant coach. "We are very proud of Chey and what she was able to accomplish this season!"
All five Phantoms who made the trip to Nationals competed in trials for their respective events on Friday. First-year Mason Falk started in the men's shot put, improving with each of his three throws to finish with a toss of 11.39m for 17th place overall. Mason is the first Phantom to compete in throwing events at the national stage.
Love and Kaba competed in their respective men's and women's 100m dash. Kaba raced to a fourth-place finish in her heat, running a new personal best time of 13.11 seconds. Her final time landed her in 14th place overall (and was faster than her 2025 Nationals time that placed her 11th overall last year).
In a standout performance of the day, Love ran his 100m heat in 11.00 seconds, a personal best, for a second-place finish and finals qualification. "Jimmy's performance was the highlight of the day for the Phantoms. We came into the meet not entirely expecting Jimmy to make finals in this event, but his unwavering belief in himself and his drive blew expectations out of the water," said Fordenbacher, noting that Love had been seeded 19th in the field. "I am so thrilled that he was able to advance while setting a new PR. This culminated in this season being Jimmy's time to shine."
Love also ran the 200m, completing his sprinting double. He raced to a fifth-place finish in his heat, claiming an overall finish of 28th in the meet. His time of 23.12 seconds was a new personal best and improves his time from last year's competition (23.18 for 18th place).
Sophomore Daniel McLaughlin opened his 2026 Nationals in the 110m HH (high hurdles). His time of 17.56 seconds placed him 16th overall in the event. This time improves his time from the 2025 National Meet, where he placed 13th overall with a time of 17.60 seconds.
Then in the 400m IH (intermediate hurdles), McLaughlin finished third in his heat with a time of 58.80 seconds. While his trials time was faster than his 2025 Nationals trials result (59.31), he missed finals qualification by just one spot this year. "While disappointing, this was not a reflection of Daniel's career as a whole. He is not defined by one performance, as he has truly made his mark on DCCC Track and Field," Fordenbacher emphasized.
"He is a 2x NJCAA All-American and a school record holder in three events," she continued. "He has been a true leader for the Phantoms, and we are eternally grateful for the two years we have had with Danny."
Saturday's competition featured four finals and one trial. Kaba started the day in the long jump, her final event as a DCCC Phantom. Her 4.88m mark earned her a National Runner Up finish in the event. Finishing in second place this year builds on her third place 2025 Nationals result.
"Fatu has had a historic and program-elevating career as a DCCC Phantom," said Fordenbacher. "We are thrilled with her performance this year at Nationals and are glad Fatu was able to end her career on and near the top of the podium this season."
McCarthy ran both the 800m and 1500m on Saturday to round out her nearly eight miles of competition over three days. As the first Phantom to compete at these distances at Nationals, McCarthy placed fourth in her 800m heat and 12th overall with a time of 2:41.05. She raced to an 11th place finish in the 1500m with a time of 5:55.11.
"We asked a lot of Cheyenne during the course of the National Meet, starting the weekend racing six miles and then having to race again on Friday and Saturday—it was a lot of miles of racing on her legs," Fordenbacher acknowledged. "She took it in stride and was able to come away with an All- American title. She raced her heart out over the course of the three days, and we are excited for her!"
Love concluded his 2026 Nationals appearance and DCCC career in two events Saturday. He raced to a fifth-place finish in the 100m dash finals with a time of 11.55 seconds, securing his All-American status and recording the highest placement by a Phantom in the event at the national stage. Love adds his first individual All-American honor in 2026 after his All-American 5th place recognition last year as part of the men's 4x100m relay.
"We are just so thrilled for Jimmy. This is a testament to all the hard work he has put in over the last two seasons and a reflection of how he has competed all season, with an unwavering belief in himself and what he knows he can do," Fordenbacher said. "What a way to end his career as a Phantom!"
"I'm so glad all my hard work showed on the biggest stage," said Love. "I couldn't be happier going in 20th and leaving top five in the country."
Falk concluded his inaugural Nationals appearance in the discus throw, again throwing farther each turn in the trials. His best throw of 34.83m landed him 13th place overall. "Mason has represented DCCC Throws with class all season," said Fordenbacher. "He is a young thrower with the potential to return next season and improve upon his throws tenfold. I am so proud of how Mason competed this weekend."
The Phantoms delivered at Nationals (event results here), competing in many new events and securing four All-American performances. "Walking away with a National Champion, National Runner Up, fifth place All-American, and eighth place All-American is more than I would have even hoped for," Fordenbacher summarized. "Our Sophomores have so much to be proud of capping off four stellar track and field careers at DCCC. Our freshmen have gained invaluable experience this season that they can bring with them next year to continue to make their mark."