Preview: NCAA West First Round

Wednesday, May 27

Fayetteville, Ark.

TCU

NCAA West Preliminary Round

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Preview: NCAA West First Round

5/26/2026 4:00:00 PM | Track and Field, Women's Outdoor Track

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Eighteen Horned Frogs are set to compete at the NCAA West First Round Championships hosted by the University of Arkansas at John McDonnell Field, May 27-30.

The NCAA West First Round Championships feature the top 48 individuals in each event. Athletes will look to finish in the top 12 of their respective events to secure their ticket to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Fresh off a pair of Big 12 titles two weeks ago, Jayden Douglas and Irene Jepkemboi headline the student-athletes representing TCU. Douglas stood atop the podium in the 400m hurdles, winning convincingly with a new school record time of 49.32. Jepkemboi took home the crown in the javelin throw with a season-best 54.44m (178-7) and became the first woman in conference history to win three straight titles in the event. They look to make their way back to Oregon for the championship meet.

Also looking to join them for the second consecutive year are sprinters Indya Mayberry and London Tucker. Last season, Mayberry earned Second Team All-American honors in the 100m and 200m races. She qualified in both again this year. Tucker has her sights set on a return trip in the 100m dash as well. In 2025, she placed 17^th overall at nationals.

In the middle-distance events, Mohamed Kowa and Georgia Scott look to cap off their stellar outdoor campaigns with a trip to Hayward Field. Rewriting the record books all year in the 800m and 1500m races, the duo elected to compete in the 800m. Kowa ranks 18^th nationally in the event with a 1:45.84, and Scott is the new school record holder with a time of 2:02.92. It would mark their first trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Another first timer looking to punch her ticket is Bailey Johnson. The freshman has come on strong late in the season, winning silver in the 200m and placing fourth in the 100m at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships. She will race both sprints and is a member of the women's 4x100m.

Ronnie Kendrick is another Frog coming off a strong performance at the conference championship meet. He ran a new career-best 400m (45.45) and is aiming to qualify as an individual for the national meet after competing on the 4x400m relay last season.

Full meet info, along with schedules, can be found below:

NCAA WEST FIRST ROUND
May 27-30 | Fayetteville, Ark. | John McDonnell Field
Live Results | Watch (ESPN+) | Tickets | Fan Guide

Wednesday, May 27
2:25 p.m. // Men's 400m (Ronnie Kendrick and Evander Thomas) *
2:50 p.m. // Men's 800m (Mohamed Kowa) *
3:20 p.m. // Men's 400m Hurdles (Jayden Douglas) *
8 p.m. // Men's Pole Vault (Ben Kirbo) ^

(Schedule adjusted due to anticipated inclement weather)

Thursday, May 28
2 p.m. // Women's Javelin (Irene Jepkemboi) ^
6 p.m. // Women's 100m Hurdles (Amari Kiluvia) *
7 p.m. // Women's 100m Dash (Bailey Johnson, Indya Mayberry and London Tucker) *
7:50 p.m. // Women's 800m (Georgia Scott) *
8:20 p.m. // Women's 400m Hurdles (Laila Smith) *
8:45 p.m. // Women's 200m (Na'Taja Ballard, Bailey Johnson and Indya Mayberry) *

Friday, May 29
2 p.m. // Men's High Jump (Ashvin Balaramana) ^
6:50 p.m. // Men's 400m ^
7:05 p.m. // Men's 800m ^
7:25 p.m. // Men's 400m Hurdles ^
8:45 p.m. // Men's 4x400m (TCU)

Saturday, May 30
5 p.m. // Women's 4x100m (TCU) ^
6:15 p.m. // Women's 100m Hurdles ^
6:35 p.m. // Women's 100m Dash ^
7:05 p.m. // Women's 800m ^
7:25 p.m. // Women's 400m Hurdles ^
7:50 p.m. // Women's 200m ^
8:45 p.m. // Women's 4x400m (TCU) ^

* First Round Race (top 24 advance)
^ Event Final (top 12 advance to Eugene)

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