Harvard track and field will compete in the NCAA East Region First Round in Lexington, Kentucky, with events scheduled from Wednesday, May 27 to Saturday, May 27. Both the men’s and women’s teams have qualified athletes across multiple disciplines for this preliminary round of the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
The women’s team will participate in 12 events, while the men’s team is set for nine. Sophomore Ella Cooper will run both the women’s 100m and 200m after earning Most Outstanding Women’s Track Athlete honors at the Ivy League Heptagonal Outdoor Championships. Cooper’s season-best times rank her among the top competitors regionally and historically within Harvard and Ivy League records.
First-year Dylan McElhinney is making her debut in the women’s 1500m with a qualifying time from Duke Twilight. Senior Molly Malague aims to return to nationals in the women’s 3000m steeplechase after receiving All-America honorable mention last year. Other notable entries include sophomore Abby Dennis competing in both hurdles events, Ella McRitchie and Lilly Hodge in pole vault, Marta Amani in long jump, Tyler Glover in shot put, sisters Milina Wepiwé and Nadjela Wepiwé in discus throw, as well as relay teams qualified for both sprint relays.
On the men’s side, junior Timi Esan holds school records heading into his race at 100m. Amari Turner will compete at 200m following an Ivy League indoor title. Harlow Tong looks to qualify for nationals at 400m after setting a school record this season. The distance squad includes Charlie Ortmans (5000m/10,000m), Tam Gavenas (5000m), Sam Burgess (5000m/10,000m), with Oliver Parker contesting his first championships appearance over hurdles.
Field event highlights feature Tito Alofe—this year’s indoor national champion—who seeks an outdoor high jump title; Joachim Johnson competes in triple jump following his Ivy League win; while relay squads look to advance through quarterfinals based on strong seed times.
The top twelve finishers from each individual event and relay will advance to compete at Hayward Field during the NCAA Outdoor Championships from June 10 to June 13.
