LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tomorrow marks the start of the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships First Round. Five Tulane athletes are heading to Lexington, Kentucky, for this exciting four-day event at the UK Outdoor Track and Field Complex.
The competition kicks off with the first round of regionals, featuring top talents from the east and west. Each region has the 48 best individual athletes and 24 top relay teams.
On Wednesday, May 26, Tulane’s Rogerio Amaral and Tommy Rice will compete in the men’s 10,000m at 8:10 p.m. CT. The next day, Cara Salsberry will start her events, throwing the hammer at 9:00 a.m. CT. Later that evening, Blezzin Kimutai will race in the women’s 10,000m at 8:10 p.m. CT. Friday is all about Silas Kiptanui, who will run in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at 4:40 p.m. CT. Finally, Salsberry will return to the field for the women’s discus on Saturday at noon.
To move on to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, from June 10-13, athletes must finish in the top 12 of their events. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+.
Salsberry holds the Tulane record in the hammer throw, with a personal best of 59.54m. She recently achieved 51.75m in the discus throw, ranking her 44th in the region. Kimutai is currently 28th in the region for the 10,000m, with a record time of 33:28.35 from the Bryan Clay Invitational.
Kiptanui is making waves with his record time of 8:25.16 in the 3,000m steeplechase, ranking fourth in the east and fifth in Division I. He is a seasoned competitor, having claimed gold medals in both the steeplechase and the 5,000m at the American Outdoor Championships. His teammates, Amaral and Rice, qualified for the 10,000m with solid performances earlier this year.
This is Tulane’s fourth consecutive year sending athletes to the east regional. Kiptanui aims to better his performance from last year after finishing third in the steeplechase.
According to recent surveys, interest in collegiate track and field has surged, especially among younger audiences. Events are not just about competition; they also foster community spirit and school’s pride. Social media trends show fans rallying around their teams, sharing live updates and highlighting athletes’ achievements.
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