Cougar Track Heads to NCAA West First Rounds

Wednesday, May 27

Fayetteville, Ark.

7:10 p.m. PT

Washington State University

NCAA West First Rounds

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Muhammed Ahmed runs at the 2026 Cougar Classic

Photo by: Washington State Athletics

May 21, 2026 | Track

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By: WSU Athletic Communications

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Nine Washington State track student-athletes qualified for the 2026 NCAA Division-I Outdoor Track & Field West First Rounds at John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas, May 27-30. Rosemary Longisa arrives to the postseason with the top time in the nation in the 1500-meter run, headlining a quartet of Cougar women competing in three distance events. WSU's men qualified five student-athletes for the 10,000-meter national semifinals, led by Evans Kurui, who also earned a bid in the 5000-meter run.

The NCAA event is split across four days by gender, beginning Wednesday, May 27 with the opening day of men's competition, and alternating genders through the four-day event. The Cougar men, including Evans Kurui, Josphat Meli, Solomon Kipchoge, Kutoven Stevens, and Muhammed Ahmed, will run Wednesday evening in the 10,000-meter semifinals at 7:10 p.m. PT (9:10 p.m. CT).

Returning to the track Thursday, May 28, Longisa will begin the women's competition in the 1,500-meter run at 4:30 p.m. PT (6:30 p.m. CT), looking to qualify for Saturday's quarterfinals. The Wazzu women continue in the 10,000-meter semifinals at 7:10 p.m. PT as Zenah Cheptoo qualified with a top-30 time.

Kurui will conclude the Cougar men's competition Friday, May 29, in the 5,000-meter semifinals, scheduled to begin at 6:10 p.m. PT.

The regional championship concludes Saturday, May 30 with the final day of women's competition. Longisa would compete in the 1,500-meter quarterfinals at 3:15 p.m. PT, if she qualifies from Thursday's first round. The WSU trio of Caroline Jepkorir, Mercy Biwott, and Cheptoo compete in the final Cougar event at 3:40 p.m. PT, running in the 3,000-meter steeplechase quarterfinals.

All four days of the NCAA West First Rounds will be streamed live via ESPN+. The top 12 individuals in each event will qualify for the 2026 NCAA Division-I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 10-13.

Tickets for the NCAA West First Rounds are available through the Razorback Ticket Office online. A complete schedule of events and results will be posted to NCAA.com at the conclusion of competition. To follow WSU cross country and track and stay up to date on Cougar news, follow the program on social media including Instagram, X, and Facebook.

WSU Schedule of Events
Wednesday, May 27
Men's 10,000m at 7:10 p.m. PT (Evans Kurui, Josphat Meli, Solomon Kipchoge, Kutoven Stevens, Muhammed Ahmed)

Thursday, May 28
Women's 1,500m at 4:30 p.m. PT (Rosemary Longisa)
Women's 10,000m at 7:10 p.m. PT (Zenah Cheptoo)

Friday, May 29
Men's 5,000m at 6:10 p.m. PT (Evans Kurui)

Saturday, May 30
Women's 1,500m at 3:15 p.m. PT (Rosemary Longisa, pending qualification)
Women's 3000m Steeplechase at 3:40 p.m. PT (Caroline Jepkorir, Mercy Biwott, Zenah Cheptoo)