Lariba Sakat Named National Athlete of the Week
Ghanaian sensation Lariba Sakat Juliana, a freshman at Iowa Western Community College, has been honoured as the National Athlete of the Week in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association). This accolade highlights her incredible start to the 2025 indoor track and field season.
Lariba made an impressive debut in the 3000m event during the Graduate Classic Meet, where she claimed first place with an outstanding time of 9:30. Not only did this performance secure her victory, but it also shattered the school record, cementing her name in Iowa Western’s history books.
Her time of 9:30 stands as the second-fastest ever recorded in the NJCAA women’s 3000m, underlining her extraordinary potential and establishing her as one of the brightest young talents in collegiate athletics.
Continuing her streak of record-breaking performances, Lariba competed in the mile race at the Cyclone Open, where she delivered another stellar run. She clocked a time of 4:48 seconds, setting a new school record and surpassing the previous mark held by Hilda. Her ability to dominate across multiple distances demonstrates her versatility and elite-level endurance.
With such exceptional performances early in her freshman year, Lariba has quickly become a favourite to etch her name among the all-time greats in NJCAA track and field over the next two seasons.
Lariba’s achievements were complemented by her teammate Elizabeth Ewusie, who competed in the 1000m event. Elizabeth recorded a time of 3:06, a performance that not only highlighted her talent but also earned her qualification for the national championships.
Looking ahead, Lariba is preparing to debut in the indoor 5000m event on Friday, January 31, 2025. Expectations are high as she continues to demonstrate her potential for greatness in every race she enters.