Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Cloud County Community College (CCCC) student/athlete Maimuna Jallow did something that hadn't been done in 23 years: she ran faster than the legendary Veronica Campbell.
Campbell, who attended Barton County Community College in Great Bend, held NJCAA records for the 60M and 200M races for over two decades. She went on to win three World Championships and eight Olympic medals.
At the 2025 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Jallow - a freshman at CCCC - ran the 60M in 7.19 seconds and the 200M in 7.19 seconds, shattering Campbell's old records.
Jallow was just named the 2025 NJCAA Women's Indoor Track & Field National Track Athlete of the Year.
A native of Sare-Futa, Gambia, Jallow is an engaging young lady with a quick smile that she displays often when she talks about running. "Running is a gift," she said. "I have been running since I was six. By the age of 12, I was thinking that I could compete with my running."
When she was just 17, Jallow was chosen to be on the Gambian national team and competed at the international level, including the All-Africa Games. "I was the youngest member of the team, but by then I was already winning races. I want very much to be a champion, a world runner."
"Maimuna has had amazing opportunities opening up since the NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Lubbock, Texas," said Drew Mahin, the head coach of the CCCC women's track & field and cross country teams. "After breaking sprint legend Veronica Campbell-Brown’s NJCAA Indoor 60m & 200m records, she has set herself apart in the recruiting world as well. She has received attention from some of the top sprint programs in the country from NCAA ranks including LSU, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Florida, and many more from Big 12 and Big Ten schools."
Jallow, who is just 20 years old, says she will return to CCCC for her sophomore year. "Yes, I will be back at Cloud next year," she said. "A lot of schools are coming to look at me, but I have made no other choice. People in Concordia are so friendly and give me a lot of support. I was so nervous coming here - no family, no friends. But I really like it here now. I feel like I'm home in Concordia."
Aside from her school work, which she takes very seriously, Jallow trains extensively, so she doesn't have a lot of free time. For fun, she likes to cook. "Oh, yes - I love to cook!" she said with a laugh. "I cook jollof rice for all my friends!"
Jollof rice is a West African specialty that is made with rice, vegetables, spices, and meat. Jallow likes to use chicken. "Chicken is the best with jollof. It tastes very good."
Jallow is on the cusp of becoming a world-class sprinter. It is a dream she has pursued since she was six years old. "I want to be an Olympian. I want to make the Olympics and the World Games. That is the dream."
