GOLETA, Calif. (May 26) – Six members of the UC Santa Barbara Track and Field team have qualified for the next round of the 2026 postseason, advancing to the NCAA West First Rounds hosted by the University of Arkansas. The Gauchos will compete May 27-30 at John McDonnell Field against the top competition in the West Region, with a chance to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Last weekend, Finn Andrews earned his spot as the 400m hurdles Big West Champion, winning the title for the second year in a row. Andrews secured his regional qualification with a school record performance of 49.88, which seeds him ninth overall heading into the meet. Freshman Mac Lamkin also punched his ticket to regionals with a time of 50.97, the fastest UCSB freshman mark in program history in the event. Andrews and Lamkin are set to compete Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. PST.
Matt Staples qualified in the 200m following his performance in the Big West Championships final, where he placed sixth and broke the school record with a time of 20.66. Staples is slated to compete Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. PST.
On Friday, Pyrce Edwards will make his regional debut in the 110m hurdles at 4:15 p.m. PST. Edwards finished third at the Big West Championships with a time of 13.84, moving him to second all time in program history.
In the field, sophomore Ally Tito qualified in the women's high jump with a mark of 1.78m, earned earlier this season at the Jim Bush Legends Invitational. Tito will compete Saturday at 12:00 p.m. PST. Senior Kenni Johnson has qualified for NCAA West Regionals for the third year in a row after placing fourth at the Big West Championships and tying her own school record of 12.79m in the triple jump. Johnson is set to compete in Fayetteville at 4:00 p.m. PST.
MEET DETAILS
For more information on the NCAA West Regionals meet schedule and live results, visit UCSBGauchos.com
NEXT UP
The top 12 finishers in each event at the NCAA West First Rounds will advance to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by the University of Oregon at Hayward Field from June 10-13.
