36 Wildcats Qualify for NCAA East First Round
LEXINGTON, Ky. – 36 Wildcats have punched their ticket to the 2026 NCAA East First Round next week in Lexington, Ky., per the release of the full qualifying list from the NCAA.
The University of Kentucky will play host to this season’s east first round competition for the second time in three years, previously hosting the event during the 2024 season. The Wildcats are also set to host the event in 2028.
On the women’s side, 22 Wildcats received a regional qualifying spot to compete for a spot in the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore. SEC Gold medalists Emmi Scales and Kemarah Howard, both ranking No. 1 in the NCAA in the 100m hurdles and high jump events, highlight the list of qualifiers for Kentucky.
SEC medalists Collins Kiprop Kipngok, Denzel Simusialela and Theo Mudzengerere are among the list of 14 men’s qualifiers for the Wildcats. Ed Bird, Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad, Grant Harrison, Collins Kiprop Kipngok, Kingi McNair, Theo Mudzengerere and the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams will feature in next week’s regional meet.
Across the four-day regional meet, UK will be competing in 23 total events, with the men’s events scheduled for Wednesday and Friday and the women’s events slated for Thursday and Saturday.
Julia Gunnell will not feature in the east first round but has qualified directly for the NCAA Championships in the women’s heptathlon event, coming off a career-best performance at the SEC Championships with 5,626 points.
The 2026 NCAA East First Round will kick off in Lexington, Ky. at the UK Outdoor Track and Field Complex on Wednesday, May 27, starting with the opening round of the men’s regional events at 10 a.m. ET.
All-session and single-session tickets are still available for purchase through UKathletics.com for fans who need to purchase additional tickets.
Below are the full lists of men’s and women’s NCAA regional qualifiers.
Men’s Qualifiers:
Oscar Baltan Vivero – 4x100m, 4x400m
Ed Bird – 5000m
Grayson Brashear – Shot Put, Discus
Brock Conrad – Hammer
Patrick Faust – 4x400m
Grant Harrison – Pole Vault
Coy Hyre – 4x100m (alt)
Miles Jones – 100m, 4x100m, 4x400m
Collins Kiprop Kipngok – 3000m Steeplechase
Kingi McNair – Long Jump
Theo Mudzengerere – Triple Jump
TK Pahuwa – 400m, 4x100m (alt), 4x400m
Denzel Simusialela – 100m, 200m, 4x100m
Anthony Waterman – 110mH, 400mH, 4x100m, 4x400m (alt)
Women’s Qualifiers:
Camden Bentley – 100m Hurdles
A’Laji Bradley – 400m, 4x400m
Kaylee Daniel – Pole Vault
Hannah Douglas – 400m, 4x400m
Meagan Ewers – Hammer
Sarah Ferguson – Pole Vault
Kemarah Howard – High Jump
Janet Jepkemboi Amimo – 800m
Cha’iel Johnson – 4x400m (alt)
Vanice Kerubo Nyagisera – 400m Hurdles, 4x400m
Ally Kruger – 1500m
Ann Lemirisho – 5000m
JahQueen McClellan – 4x400m
Doricah Minsari Isoe – 1500m
Annie Murphy – Pole Vault
Rukia Nusra Omulisia – 100m Hurdles
Lyric Olson – 800m
Stacey Onyepnukua – 4x400m (alt)
Kate Powers – Hammer
Emmi Scales – 100m Hurdles
Briana St. Louis – 4x400m (alt)
Chelsea Wetzel – Pole Vault
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