‘You lose some, you win some.’ The Whittaker sisters experienced both these extremes at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. One of them was brutally struck out of the women’s 800m semis. The other one from the Arkansas Razorbacks went on to win a title in record-breaking fashion. So what was it that the other one did differently? Well, she made a major career decision in the final year of her NCAA eligibility. Looks like that was the game-changer, but was it?

Yes, we’re talking about Isabella Whittaker and Juliette Whittaker. At the NCAA Indoors 2025, the former, 23-year-old won the women’s 400m title while setting a new American record. In 49.24, Isabella was fast and in her prime form. No wonder she was just 0.07 seconds shy of the 400m indoor world record (Femke Bol, 49.17). However, this still puts her second on the all-time list. But how did she prepare herself for this? Did this happen overnight? No. It apparently did after Isabella made a major career decision in 2024!

She swapped colleges! After winning the NCAA Indoor 400m title in 2025, Isabella opened up on the training difference she experienced between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Penn State. In the post-race interview, she said, “It’s a pretty big difference, honestly, in terms of volume. Like, I just did a lot of 800 training kind of in the fall, which I think is why I got that so much strength.” She also mentioned, “I’ve always kind of had a nice kick again, but I’ve really been able to capitalize on that since I got here.”

Clearly, Isabella credits her ascent to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Even in 2024, when Isabella was switching over to this side from Penn State, she had similar expectations in her mind. She’d said, “My end goal is to go pro. [Competing at Arkansas] just felt like the perfect next step. It’s going to be pretty intense, but I’m really excited for that.” Whittaker also added, “I think just switching it up and just trying to see how far I can take this track thing.” After all, Arkansas was the 2024 women’s title-winning side in the NCAA.

Looks like she’s accomplished all that and more. Take the 400m event, for example. She’s not only set a new American record in it, but in 2025, it has been for the first time ever that she has clocked sub-50s timings in this event. Her 400m best indoors until 2024 was 50.17s. But in 2025, she clocked two of her best 400m short track timings in quick succession. First 49.90s on 1 March in the Southeastern Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship. It was followed by the 49.24s on 15th March.

Clearly, something has been working for her ever since she joined the Arkansas Razorbacks. But at one point in her career, it looked uncertain. Injuries could have potentially jeopardized her career.

Isabella’s injury-fraught career before joining the Arkansas Razorbacks

The Whittaker sisters have both been in the running business for a long time. Juliette Whittaker, Isabella’s sister, is an Olympian who stomped down the Stade de France track in Paris. While Isabella is still an Olympic hopeful, there was one time when this possibility looked very uncertain.

During her sophomore year at Penn State, Isabella developed a stress fracture in her back. It kept her away from the track for 6 long months. But the way she fought back? Inspired Juliette greatly. “She fully believed that she was going to get back to where she was and go further,” Juliette said. And well, she did.

But in 2024, right before the NCAA Indoor track and field championships, Isabella sustained another injury. Isabella Whittaker did qualify for the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships in two events, the 400m and the 4x400m relay. But she could not partake in the same because an injury ruled her out. Well, this was not new to her, as her collegiate career was restricted by multiple physical ailments.

However, ever since she’s joined the Arkansas Razorbacks, let’s just say nothing has gone wrong. Hopefully, her win streak continues! Are you rooting for this too? Let us know below!