Jayhawks Qualify 33 Athletes to NCAA West Preliminary

Photo by: Jordyn Pennington/Kansas Athletics

Jayhawks Qualify 33 Athletes to NCAA West Preliminary

5/22/2026 10:47:00 AM | Track & Field

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas track and field qualified 33 athletes into the NCAA West Preliminary, the NCAA announced Thursday. The NCAA West Preliminary will take place May 27-30 in Fayetteville, Ark.

The Jayhawks had 33 athletes qualify for the 2026 NCAA West Preliminary meet through their performances throughout the regular season. In order to qualify for the meet, athletes must have had a mark within the top 48 athletes in their event in the region, or be part of a top 24 relay teams in the region. The meet will take place May 27-30 at the John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

For the Jayhawks, 15 female athletes qualified for the meet in 12 different events while 18 male athletes qualified in 10 different events. In addition to the regional qualifiers, senior John Swabik punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships with his personal best, record setting 7,819 point performance to win the Big 12 Decathlon Championship by being one of the top 24 decathletes in the country.

In order to join Swabik at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, the athletes will need to finish in the top 12 of their events at the West First Round meet. More information about the preliminary round can be found here, while a schedule is available here. Full lists for the declared athletes are available here for the decathletes, men and women, while a list of Kansas athletes is available below.

UP NEXT:
The Jayhawks will be in action at the NCAA West Regional in Fayetteville, Ark. on May 27-30. Fans can stay current with the team and events by following the official Kansas Track & Field and Cross Country X or Instagram account @kansastfxc.

Kansas Declared Athletes:
Deshana Skeete – 400m and 4x400m
Pearl Awanya – 400m and 4x400m
Emmah Jemutai – 800m and 1,500m
Maureen Chepkirui – 800m and 4x400m
Sky Hagan – 100m Hurdles
Sidney Smith – 400m Hurdles and 4x400m
Ethel Amissah – 4x400m
Abree Winfrey – 4x400m
Mason Meinershagen – High Jump and Pole Vault
Madison Snody – Pole Vault
Kori Randle - Long Jump and Triple Jump
Richelle Stanley – Long Jump
Sofia Sluchaninova – Discus Throw
Kat Meacham – Discus Throw and Hammer Throw
Barbora Stejfova – Hammer Throw

Michael Joseph – 400m and 4x400m
Ian Kipkogei – 800m and 4x400m
Tanner Talley – 1,500m
Sawyer Schmidt – 3,000m Steeplechase
Reagan Kibet – 5,000m
Stephen Maroro – 5,000m and 10,000m
Barnabas Ndiwa – 10,000m
Aaron Merritt – 110m Hurdles
Grant Lockwood – 4x400m
Prophet Basden Jr. – 4x400m
Tristan Williams – 4x400m
Devan Mathis – 4x400m
Josiah Parris – 4x400m
Jack Markstrom – 4x400m
Kierson Wicks – High Jump
Anthony Meacham – Pole Vault
Bryce Barkdull – Pole Vault
Payton Kasper – Pole vault
John Swabik* - Decathlon

*Qualified for NCAA Championship