Small School Underdog Rising to the Top of the NCAA | Jadyn Keeler Putting North Dakota on the Map

On the Women’s 5K starting line at the 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships, one singlet will stand out from the rest. Jadyn Keeler’s bright Kelly green uniform represents a small school in Grand Forks, North Dakota—and you’d be foolish to underestimate her.Last year, Jadyn put the University of North Dakota on the map with a 10th-place finish in the nation, just two spots shy of the podium. This year, she returns with a 15:14 5K PR and a mission to claim a First-Team All-American trophy.Her progression from a 17-minute 5K runner to one of the fastest women in the NCAA is one of the most impressive trajectories in the sport. Her story earned her a featured post on the influential running page “Fast Women.”Today, she joins The Kick: A Runner’s Podcast fresh off a "Triple Crown" weekend at the Summit League Championships, where she swept the Mile, 3K, and 5K in a dominant display of range. We discuss her incredible season so far and her goals for the National Championship in Arkansas on Friday, March 13.If you’ve ever felt like an underdog or wondered if you could reach an elite level from unlikely origins, Jadyn’s story is one of the most powerful you’ll find.Hosted by Will Loggia.