Indiana State Hosts the 2026 Gibson Invitational
Indiana State welcomes athletes to the Gibson Track and Field Complex for the 2026 Gibson Invitational this Thursday through Saturday. This exciting event features both the heptathlon and decathlon on the first two days, with all other competitions taking place over the weekend. Events kick off at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 9:30 a.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Admission and Parking
Attending the meet costs $5 each day, payable at the entrance. For parking, Lot K is available behind the Imperial Lanes bowling alley, with additional spots on campus within a short walk. Note that parking is not allowed in the Annex or Riverfront Lofts, or your vehicle may be towed.
Recent Achievements
In their last outing, Rachel Mehringer matched her own Indiana State and Missouri Valley Conference record of 13.04 seconds in the 100m hurdles at the Crimson Tide Invitational. Meanwhile, Trent Jones set the fastest 400m time by a Sycamore in nearly 20 years. Other highlights included Janiya Bowman achieving the fastest 200m time in a decade and Brittney Burak breaking her 5000m personal best by over 20 seconds.
Who’s Competing?
The invitational features over 40 schools, including notable teams like Ball State, DePaul, and Purdue. This makes it one of the largest meets in Indiana State’s history.
Recognition for Sycamores
Trent Jones and Rachel Mehringer were recently named MVC Track Athletes of the Week for their outstanding performances. Jones broke the 47-second mark in the 400m, while Mehringer dominated in the hurdles, leaving competitors behind.
Top Rankings
Indiana State competes at a national level in several events. Their men’s 110m hurdles team ranks sixth nationally, while the women’s hammer throw team is ninth. The women’s pole vault and men’s 3000m steeplechase teams also hold top 20 spots in national rankings.
Heptathlon and Decathlon Debuts
The Gibson Invitational marks the first time this season that Indiana State will enter athletes in the heptathlon and decathlon. Notable competitors include Jake Ottersbach, who has previously excelled in the decathlon.
Next Up
Following the Gibson Invitational, Indiana State will split its team for the Drake Relays and Clark Wood Invitational from April 22-25.
For more news on the Indiana State Track and Field teams, visit GoSycamores.com.
