Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography
Five Lions Qualify for NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Eastern Prelims
5/21/2026 1:30:00 PM | Track and Field
Lions will send four men and one woman to compete in Kentucky
NEW YORK — Five Columbia Track & Field student-athletes have qualified for the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Eastern Prelims after posting a top-48 mark in their respective events this season. The Lions will be sending three men and one woman individually, which was made official by the NCAA on Thursday afternoon.
Haydn Brotschi, Matt Gatune, Edward Blaha, and George Blaha will be representing the men's team, while Lucy Henkel will be representing the women's team.
The eastern prelims are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 27 and run through Sunday, May 31 in Lexington at the University of Kentucky.
COLUMBIA QUALIFYING MARKS
Men
400m: Haydn Brotschi (12th - 45.20)
1500m: Matt Gatune (23rd - 3:39.82)
5000m: Edward Blaha (34th - 13:43.48)
10000m: George Blaha (42nd - 29:09.11)
Women
800m: Lucy Henkel (26th - 2:04.11)
The full release from the NCAA can be found HERE, including the entire list of men's and women's selections.
A full preview of NCAA prelims will be provided next week.
To qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championship finals in Oregon, a top-12 finish is needed at the eastern prelims. For qualified athletes, the finals of the NCAA Championships will begin on Wednesday, June 10.
Stay up to date on all things Columbia track & field by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
Haydn Brotschi, Matt Gatune, Edward Blaha, and George Blaha will be representing the men's team, while Lucy Henkel will be representing the women's team.
The eastern prelims are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 27 and run through Sunday, May 31 in Lexington at the University of Kentucky.
COLUMBIA QUALIFYING MARKS
Men
400m: Haydn Brotschi (12th - 45.20)
1500m: Matt Gatune (23rd - 3:39.82)
5000m: Edward Blaha (34th - 13:43.48)
10000m: George Blaha (42nd - 29:09.11)
Women
800m: Lucy Henkel (26th - 2:04.11)
The full release from the NCAA can be found HERE, including the entire list of men's and women's selections.
A full preview of NCAA prelims will be provided next week.
To qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championship finals in Oregon, a top-12 finish is needed at the eastern prelims. For qualified athletes, the finals of the NCAA Championships will begin on Wednesday, June 10.
Stay up to date on all things Columbia track & field by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
Players Mentioned
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