TAMPA, Fla. — The Sun Conference is pleased to announce Warner University women's track & field standout
Blessing Ogundiran has been named the 2025-26 Sun Conference Female Athlete of the Year.
The Sun Conference Female Athlete of the Year honors the conference's top female student-athlete based on athletic excellence, accomplishments, leadership, and overall impact throughout the 2025-26 academic year, as voted on by the league's 10 athletic directors.
Ogundiran produced one of the most dominant sprint seasons in NAIA history as a freshman, capturing three individual national championships while rewriting the record books at the conference, school, and national levels.
At the NAIA Indoor National Championships,
Ogundiran claimed the national title in the 60-meter dash while recording the fastest time in the NAIA during the season. She carried that momentum into the outdoor campaign, winning NAIA national championships in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. During the national meet, she broke the NAIA Outdoor Championship meet record in the 100-meter dash during the preliminary round before securing the national title.
"Being named the Sun Conference Female Athlete of the Year is a huge accomplishment for Blessing and a proud moment for everyone in our Warner University Track & Field family," stated Warner University Head Men's and Women's Track & Field Coach Taiwo Ariyo. “This recognition reflects the effort she puts in every single day, her determination to keep improving, and the way she carries herself both on and off the track. She's earned this through her consistency, her character, and the way she competes. For our team, this award is a reminder of what can happen when athletes trust the process, support each other, and stay committed to getting better. It's something we can all celebrate together.
"As her coach, I couldn't be more proud of Blessing. It's been incredible to watch her grow and develop into one of the top athletes in the country. She's worked for this, and she deserves it. I hope her journey encourages others at Warner to set big goals, stay focused, and believe in what they're capable of."
She concluded the season holding the NAIA, Sun Conference, and Warner University records in the 60-meter and 100-meter dash while posting the nation's fastest times in the 60-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter events.
Ogundiran also excelled at the conference level, winning Sun Conference titles in the indoor 60-meter dash and outdoor 100-meter dash. She earned Sun Conference Women's Track Athlete of the Week honors four times, in addition to being named NAIA National Women's Track Athlete of the Week three times and USTFCCCA National Track Athlete of the Week four times.
Ogundiran's historic freshman campaign helped elevate Warner's track & field program while cementing her place among the NAIA's elite sprinters. Her remarkable accomplishments earned her one of The Sun Conference's highest individual honors.
ABOUT THE SUN CONFERENCE
Now in its 36th year, The Sun Conference, a 501c3 organization, continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Under the guidance of Commissioner Dustin Wilke, the league sponsors championships in 24 NAIA sports. Learn more at thesunconference.com
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