Jayhawks Have Strong First Day at Rock Chalk Classic

Friday, May 1

Lawrence, Kan.

University of Kansas

Rock Chalk Classic Day 1

Photo by: Bailey Thompson/Kansas Athletics

Jayhawks Have Strong First Day at Rock Chalk Classic

5/1/2026 10:27:00 PM | Track & Field

Results Schedule Photo Gallery

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Kansas track & field team opened the Rock Chalk Classic with a strong first day, winning four events and finishing in the top three 17 times. The meet was also the team's International Student-Athlete day, recognizing Jayhawk athletes from around the world.

In addition to the meet acting as International Student-Athletes day, Kansas will be hosting seven World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger Events at the Rock Chalk Classic, inviting back alumni and welcoming some of the top international competitors.

"The facility we have is really special," Kansas head coach Stanley Redwine said. "It allows us to be able to host something like this. The idea to have Rock Chalk Park out here, for not just the track part but with the softball, and tennis and soccer, is really just amazing and it creates a great atmosphere."

The Jayhawks got underway Friday in the women's hammer throw where Kat Meacham placed fourth and Addie Cline finished sixth. Conor Dunback then picked up the first podium placement of the day with his third place, personal best pole vault of 4.76 meters.

Continuing in the field Kori Randle set a new personal best in the long jump of 6.33 meters to place second while Reese Hulcher placed third in the women's high jump. Dunback had the final field podium placement of the night, and his second of the day, when he finished as the top collegiate finisher in the men's javelin throw.

Sidney Smith finished second in the women's 400 meter hurdles and freshman Devan Mathis won the men's section with a personal best time of 51.93 seconds. Abree Winfrey and Dean McCune both placed third in their respective sections.

Senior captain Tanner Talley finished second in the men's 1,500 meter run and Kaitlyn Swartz achieved a new personal best time of 4:35.14 to finish third in the women's section. Kansas finished in second place in both the men's and women's steeplechases with Sawyer Schmidt and Sydney Owens finishing as the first Jayhawk in their races.

Barnabas Ndiwa and Irine Jepkirui closed the night out with wins in the 5,000 meter runs, with Jepkirui achieving a personal best time of 16:50.20. Naomi Hunter finished second for the women and Blake Wohler achieved third for the men.

"I've been here three years and everyone has been so inclusive and welcoming to me. I think competing here for Kansas is amazing, and this is a great environment." Ryo Higuchi said of International Student-Athlete day. "The track is very good, and fast, and it's amazing when everyone is here cheering for us to go for fast times. I'm very grateful."

In addition to the Kansas athletes successes, the winners of the men's and women's long jumps also praised the competition environment. "Being here and getting back in the groove was a really great experience," Akela Jones, a multi athlete and long jumper for Barbados who owns four national records, said. "I've always loved competing here and everyone in the field did exceptionally well."

"I loved the audience and their claps of support today. It really helped me achieve my season best," Emanuel Archibald, the Guyana national record holder in the long jump, said.

"I think fan support means everything to the athletes," Redwine said. "They work hard, and they get praised from the coaches, but for the fans to appreciate them I think really means a lot, and there's going to be some great events that I think people will enjoy."

UP NEXT:
Kansas will continue with the Rock Chalk Classic tomorrow at Rock Chalk Park, beginning at 11:30 a.m. More information is available here. Fans can stay current with the team and events by following the official Kansas Track & Field and Cross Country X or Instagram account @kansastfxc.