The Oklahoma men’s and women’s track and field teams are gearing up for the Battle on the Bayou this weekend at Bernie Moore Track Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The event takes place on Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, with 53 Sooners set to compete.
Competition kicks off Friday at 10:30 a.m. CT, starting with the women’s hammer throw. Saturday’s events will also begin at 10:30 a.m. CT with the women’s discus.
Last weekend, the Sooners showcased their talent at the Raleigh Relays. Six distance runners represented OU over two days at the Paul Derr Track Facility. Evans Biwott shone in the men’s 5,000 meters, finishing sixth with a time of 13:39.12, placing him fourth in OU history. Ronald Ngetich also made headlines with a personal best of 28:30.17 in the 10,000 meters, ranking him second all-time at OU. Shadrack Kiptoo wasn’t far behind, earning the ninth spot in the record books with a time of 29:16.72.
Leah Jeruto continued to impress by finishing second in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:57.41—one of the top performances in the NCAA this season. Domtila Cheruto capped off the meet by setting a school record in the women’s 10,000 meters with a time of 32:18.83, marking her third record of the year.
This is the Sooners’ second season in the SEC, known for its strong collegiate track and field programs. In their first year, they secured eight individual conference titles and placed fourth in the women’s category at the 2025 SEC Indoor Championship. At the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships, the men achieved their best finish in 28 years, coming in sixth overall.
The relevance of track and field is growing, especially with reports indicating that collegiate athletes are increasingly pursuing professional careers in this sport. According to a recent NCAA study, interest in track events has surged among young athletes, showing promise for the future of the sport.
As they prepare for the Battle on the Bayou, the Sooners will look to build on their recent successes and continue making strides in the SEC.
Event Details:
Battle on the Bayou
Date: April 3-4
Venue: Bernie Moore Track Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Live Results: PrimeTime Timing
For updates, follow the Sooners on X and Instagram (@OU_Track) and on Facebook at Oklahoma Sooners Track and Field and Cross Country.
