The Virginia Tech track and field team announced on May 22 that twenty-seven athletes have qualified for the NCAA East First Round Regional, which will be hosted by the University of Kentucky in Lexington from May 27 to May 30.
The event is a key step toward the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, scheduled to take place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from June 10 to June 13. The Hokies’ participation gives their athletes an opportunity to advance to one of collegiate athletics’ most prestigious competitions.
According to the team, “The top 12 competitors in each individual event and the top 12 teams in each relay event will advance from both the East and West First Rounds to Eugene.” The list of qualifiers from each contested event will be released on Sunday, May 31. The final roster of championship participants is expected to be announced on Tuesday, June 2.
Among those representing Virginia Tech are Katie Bohlke (5000m), Katrin Brzyszkowska (shot put), Kaitlyn Cook (triple jump), Sophia Holgado (1500m), Erin Kelleher (pole vault), Jule Lindner (steeplechase), Mariana Pestana (hammer throw), Chiara Sistermann (pole vault), Lilly Ver Beek (long jump) for the women’s team; and Lukas Baroke (hammer throw), Yekini Bowen (discus), Ryan Chevalier (5000m), George Couttie (1500m), Dylan Decambre (800m), Maddox Hamm (pole vault), Sam Idiens (1500m), Christian Jackson (800m), Roan Kelly (800m), Nicholas Kipchirchir—who qualified for both the 5000m and the 10,000m—Judson Lincoln IV, Calvin Meyer, Elijah Mosley, Nabil Tezkratt—all members of relay teams—as well as Conner McClure, Layne Studer in pole vault events.
As anticipation builds ahead of next week’s competition in Lexington, Virginia Tech looks forward to seeing how many athletes can secure a spot at nationals.
