NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Eastern Prelims Begin Tomorrow

Wednesday, May 27

Lexington, Ky.

3:00 p.m.

Columbia

NCAA Outdoor Prelims

NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Eastern Prelims Begin Tomorrow

5/26/2026 9:22:00 AM | Track and Field

Five Lions will compete in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Five Columbia Track & Field student-athletes are set to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field NCAA Championship Eastern Prelims which begin on Wednesday morning at the University of Kentucky's Outdoor Track & Field Complex.

The competition spans four days and will conclude on Saturday, May 30. After posting a top-48 mark in their respective events this season, all five Lions will be looking to finish in the top-12 in those events this week and punch their ticket to the NCAA Championship finals next month in Oregon.

SCHEDULE
Matt Gatune will be the first Lion in action, competing in the men's 1500m first round on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Haydn Brotschi followed in the men's 400m first round at 7:25 p.m., before George Blaha closed out the night in the men's 10,000m semifinals at 9:10 p.m.

On Thursday, Lucy Henkel opens Columbia's slate in the women's 800m first round at 7:50 p.m.

Edward Blaha is scheduled to compete in the men's 5,000m semifinals on Friday at 8:10 p.m. Earlier in the day, the men's 1500m and 400m quarterfinals are set for 5:15 p.m. and 7:05 p.m., respectively.
The women's 800m quarterfinals are scheduled for Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

The full schedule for every event can be found HERE.

HOW TO WATCH/FOLLOW
Visit the NCAA championship central for up to date information on the championships, including ticket information, media credential forms, and more.

Every day of the championships will be streamed via ESPN+. You can find all of the stream information and links for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday here.

Live results for every day of the competition will be available HERE.

Follow @CULionsXCTF on Twitter and Instagram for a recap of each day's events and announcements about any major accomplishments from the Lions.

LAST TIME OUT
At the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships, Lucy Henkel capped a standout weekend with a third-place finish in the women's 800m, crossing in 2:04.77 to add another podium finish for the Lions.

On the men's side, Haydn Brotschi delivered a historic performance in the 400m, capturing the Ivy League title with a blistering 45.20.

Matt Gatune added a fourth-place finish in the men's 1500m after clocking 3:40.52, while George Blaha placed fifth in the men's 10,000m with a time of 29:56.94.

Edward Blaha also competed in the men's 5000m, crossing the line in 14:32.47.

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)

LAST YEAR AT REGIONALS
Obiora Okeke secured a trip to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships after delivering a clutch final throw of 19.52m (64-1) in the shot put to finish fourth overall and earn an automatic qualifying spot for Eugene.

Rory Clare narrowly missed an NCAA championship berth in the women's 1500m, finishing 21st at 4:15.82.

Lucy Henkel finished 29th in the women's 800m (2:04.72).

Matt Gatune placed 43rd in the 1500m with a time of 3:47.45.

Stay up to date on all things Columbia Track & Field by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).