Maddox Hamm and Conner McClure qualified for the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, while six additional Virginia Tech athletes advanced to the next round as competition began at the NCAA East Regionals on May 28 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Hamm and McClure each cleared 5.45 meters (17 feet, 10.5 inches) in the men’s pole vault to secure their national qualifying spots. Hamm won the event, marking his first trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. McClure followed closely behind, earning his second appearance at nationals.
In other events, all three Virginia Tech competitors in the men’s 1,500 meters advanced to the quarterfinals. Nick Plant finished 11th with a time of 3:43.93, George Couttie placed 13th at 3:43.99, and Sam Idiens took 17th with a time of 3:44.27.
The Hokies also saw success in the men’s 800 meters, where Dylan DeCambre placed fourth with a personal best of 1:46.79—fifth fastest in program history—while Roan Kelly finished eighth with a personal best of 1:46.93 for sixth all-time at Virginia Tech. Christian Jackson added an eighteenth-place finish at 1:47.45; all three runners advanced to the next round.
Competition continues as Mariana Pestana is set to compete for Virginia Tech in the women’s hammer throw on day two of the NCAA East First Round.
