WVU Track & Field competed at the 2026 NCAA East First Round in Lexington, Kentucky. The Mountaineers had eight athletes competing for a chance to move on to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The Championships start on Wednesday, June 10, and end on Saturday, June 13. The top 12 athletes from the East will combine with the top 12 from the West to compete in Eugene. Read more: Three Mountaineers qualify for NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Women’s 800 meters
Junior Kishay Rowe was the first athlete to compete for WVU in the women’s 800 meters. The first round took place on Thursday at 7:50 p.m. ET, with the top 24 advancing to the quarterfinals on Saturday. Rowe finished just outside the top 24 and did not qualify. She finished 27th with a time of 2:05.07 in Heat 1.
Women’s 10,000 meters
The Mountaineers had four athletes competing in the women’s 10,000 meters, which was the final event of Thursday’s (May 28) action. The top 12 athletes advance to Eugene to compete in the Finals. Joy Naukot was the only runner from WVU to advance, but all four placed inside the top 25. Naukot finished with a time of 32:33.18 to finish second behind Hilda Olemomoi of Florida. She is looking to improve on her third-place finish in 2025.
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Freshman Emily Bryce and junior Anastasia Chepkorir finished inside the top 20 at 19th and 20th. Bryce finished with a time of 34:00.06, while Chepkorir finished just behind her at 34:07.96. Sophomore Alexis Lamb finished in 25th with a time of 34:15.60.
Women’s high jump
Junior Annishka McDonald was WVU’s representative in women’s high jump. She jumped in Series Flight 1 and finished third in her flight. McDonald finished fourth overall and qualified for the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She cleared the bar at 1.82 meters to earn a spot in Eugene.
Women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase
WVU had two athletes compete in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. It was the final event the Mountaineers competed in, and it took place Saturday at 5:40 p.m. ET. Sophomore Mercy Kinyanjui finished fourth in Heat 2 with a personal-best time of 9:50.38. She placed eighth overall and qualified to compete in Eugene. Freshman Ronis Chelengat was disqualified.
What’s next?
The Mountaineers return to action on June 10 for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. It is held from Wednesday through Saturday, June 13. WVU has three athletes competing in the 10,000 meters, high jump, and 3,000-meter steeplechase. The 3,000-meter steeplechase semifinals are on Thursday, along with the 10,000-meter finals. The women’s high jump finals are on Saturday.
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