MESA, Arizona – March 26, 2026 – Maleah Tucker, a Mesa Community College (MCC) Associate in Science major and track and field athlete, recently earned the national title in women’s weight throw and broke her own school record at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Indoor Track & Field Championship. 

Competing in Kansas at Washburn University, Tucker captured the national championship with a throw of 18.49 meters, establishing a new MCC program record. The mark surpassed the 18.18 meters Tucker set earlier this season, which had broken the previous school record of 18.10 meters set by Michelle Amete in 2005.

“I am so happy for Maleah, Coach Estes and Coach Hanrahan,” said MCC Head Coach Daniel Pescador. “She smashed her school record and is going home as the national champion.”

Maleah had this to say about her accomplishment: “As I think about the feeling of becoming a national champion this quote from Russell M. Nelson comes to mind, ‘The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives,’” Tucker said. “I had many reasons for failure but my focus was on being my best and doing all I could do to succeed while enjoying the process. This accomplishment has allowed me to know that if I keep my focus on becoming better than I was the day before I can become someone who finds joy in every success no matter how big or small.”

The championship performance capped a remarkable season as Tucker earned the NJCAA West Region Women’s Field Athlete of the Year honors, was named ACCAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week multiple times and received NJCAA Women’s Field Athlete of the Week recognition.

“Maleah’s unique strength is in her level head; she’s essentially immune to discouragement,” said MCC Throws Coach Nathan Estes. “In a technical sport as frustratingly difficult as throwing, being able to struggle through challenges unfazed is a super power that fast tracks improvement, and it’s what she used to come back from her mission and get into gold medal form in just two months.”

For additional information about MCC’s athletic program visit mesatbirdsports.com.

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Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.