Kurui Qualifies for Eugene, Leads Cougs in 10K NCAA Semifinals

Wednesday, May 27

Fayetteville, Ark.

7:10 p.m. PT

Washington State University

NCAA West First Rounds

Photo by: Brendan Maloney

Kurui Qualifies for Eugene, Leads Cougs in 10K NCAA Semifinals

May 27, 2026 | Track

10000m Results Live Results Photo Gallery

By: WSU Athletic Communications

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Washington State sophomore distance runner Evans Kurui finished third in the 10,000-meter run national semifinals, Wednesday evening at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West First Rounds, earning qualification to the championship race as part of the NCAA Championship next month in Eugene.

Kurui led a group of five Cougars who qualified for the 10,000-meter national semifinals at John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas. The Kenyan led for the majority of the race, staying in the front pack through the opening 5,000 meters before moving out to pace the event at the midway point. Kurui crossed the finish line in 28:45.60, claiming one of 12 qualification spots for the championship, June 10 at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon.

WSU's duo of Muhammed Ahmed and Josphat Meli followed Kurui, finishing 31st and 33rd, respectively. Ahmed, a spring transfer to WSU and former Big West cross-country champion, clocked a 29:35.71 to conclude his collegiate career. Meli was close behind with a time of 29:39.70 in his second-consecutive appearance in the sport's longest event, bettering his 34th-place finish in 2025.

The Cougars' Solomon Kipchoge and Kutoven Stevens began the race, but did not finish, battling extreme humidity and 80-degree temperatures. Kipchoge, a sophomore, and Stevens, a junior, were both making their inaugural outdoor postseason debuts for the Cougars.

WSU returns to the track Thursday, May 28, as the Cougar women of Rosemary Longisa and Zenah Cheptoo begin competition in Fayetteville. Kurui will conclude the men's competition Friday, May 29, in the 5,000-meter semifinals, scheduled to begin at 6:10 p.m. PT.

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

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.

Results
Men's 10,000m
Evans Kurui, 3rd, 28:45.60
Muhammed Ahmed, 31st, 29:35.71
Josphat Meli, 33rd, 29:39.70
Solomon Kipchoge, DNF
Kutoven Stevens, DNF

WSU Upcoming Events

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)