FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Prestina Ochonogor became the first Tarleton State Texan this year to punch her ticket to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor National Championships on the second day of competition at the NCAA West First Rounds at John McDonnell Field.
Ochonogor punched her fourth-consecutive ticket to the NCAA Championships in the sophomore’s four total collegiate seasons, two indoor and two outdoor. Lauren Roy posted a pair of qualifying marks earning her two spots in the quarterfinals of the 100 and 200 meters as well as breaking the 200-meter school record. Victoria Cameron won her heat to clinch a bid in Saturday’s 100-meter quarterfinals as well.
“I’m incredibly proud of the way our athletes competed today,” said head coach Carter. “To see Prestina punch her ticket to the NCAA Championships is a testament to her hard work, consistency, and ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. We’re also excited to have two sprinters advance to the quarterfinals as well. As I stated before, at this time of the season, it’s about executing, staying composed, and taking advantage of opportunities, and our athletes did exactly that. Now the focus shifts to the next round. Survive and advance.”
Ochonogor punched her ticket to Eugene, Ore. on her second jump of the day. After a misstep on her first jump landed at 5.66 meters, she soared to a jump of 6.51 meters to set a new season best and rank in the top three at the time of her jump. The Benin, Nigeria, native, ended the competition passing on her third attempt and placing fifth to secure her bid to the National Championships. She passed on her third jump after starting the evening in the 100 meters. Ochonogor was unable to post a qualifying time in the 100 clocking in at 11.61 seconds and placing 37th overall.
Roy punched her ticket to Saturday in both of her events. She started out in the 100 meters placing third in her heat and seventh overall in the field clocking in at 11.23 seconds. The top two in Roy’s heat placed fourth and fifth in the field. The Ireland native placed second in her heat of the 200 meters in 22.97 seconds only to the best time in the field, Camryn Dickson who crossed in 22.54 seconds. Roy posted the first wind-legal time that broke the 23-second barrier in program history to break the school record held by her teammate, Cameron. She is one of six athletes to rank in the top 10 in both the 100 and 200 meters after the first rounds.
Cameron won her heat to earn an automatic qualifying spot in Saturday’s 100-meter quarterfinals. The junior clocked in in 11.29 seconds in her first race in the 100 meters since April 4th at the Texas Relays. Cameron ran her 10th fastest time of her collegiate career and still held off the rest of her heat. Her 11.29-second performance ranked 11th in the field in the first round.
Tayler Wessely started Thursday off for the Texans in the women’s hammer throw. Wessely finished 16th in the field after entering in 19th. The senior’s best toss of 61.43 meters came on her third and final throw. She placed fifth after the first three flights but placed 16th after the fourth flight. Two of her three throws were over 60 meters in the competition.
Malak Rashwan started the evening session on the track off for the Texans. In her first NCAA First Rounds appearance, the sophomore placed 40th clocking in 13.71 seconds. Her mark was just 0.05 seconds off her wind-legal best this season. Rashwan was in the first track event of the evening with the track still containing puddles and wet spot before it dried up later as the night continued.
Emma Holmes competed in both the 200 and 400 meters in her first NCAA First Rounds appearance. Holmes opened her first event clocking in at 53.66 seconds to place 41st. In her second and final event of the night, Holmes posted a 31st place performance crossing in 23.68 seconds. The WAC Women’s Freshman of the Year was one of three Texan women to qualify for the NCAA First Rounds in multiple events.
The men will return to the track on Friday. Three men return for the quarterfinals on the track while two compete in the triple jump, all looking to punch their tickets to Oregon. Ca’terrin Cox will be the first to hit the track in the 110-meter hurdles. He enters after placing ninth in the first rounds looking for a top 12 performance at 6:15 pm. JayBrion Jones will hit the track next at 6:35 pm hoping to punch his ticket in the 100 meters. Jones posted the 13th best time on Wednesday. David Mvundura is the last Texan on the track, slated to compete in the 200 meters at 7:50 pm. Mvundura notched the 10th best time on Wednesday. In the men’s triple jump starting at 6 pm Johnathon Rodgers and Sir Jonathan Sims each look to punch their tickets to the NCAA Championships.
Follow the Texans at the NCAA West First Rounds on social media by following @tarletontrackxc on Instagram and X.
