Kenyans are proven world beaters in athletics.
They are also leaving their mark in America’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Championships.
Some 122 Kenyan athletes, including 72 from the Townhall Athletics Club, have entered the NCAA regional championships, which will serve as qualifiers for the prestigious NCAA National Championships scheduled for June 10-13 at the famous Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field First Rounds (regionals) take place simultaneously starting on Wednesday.
Photo credit: Pool
The East First Round shall be hosted by the University of Kentucky at the UK Track & Field Complex in Lexington, Kentucky, while the West First Round shall be held at the University of Arkansas at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The regional championships are expected to be highly competitive as athletes fight for limited slots to the national finals, one of the biggest collegiate athletics events in the world.
The NCAA 800m Indoor National champion Gladys Chepngetich is targeting to win her specialty and claim a spot in the national championships.
“I’m staying focused. My aim is to finish on the podium,” said Chepngetich, a student at Clemson University.
Chepngetich reached the women’s 800m semi-finals at last year’s championships but wants to go further this time round.
Rosemary Longisa from Washington States University, who finished second in the 1,500m race at the Indoor National Championships, is rather modest about her expectations.
“I’m just competing to qualify for the nationals. My outdoor season last year did not end how I really wanted it to. I was aiming to qualify for the nationals, but I didn’t. This year, I’m in a really good spot to earn a slot at the nationals,” said Longisa on phone from Washington.
Eyes will also be on the University of New Mexico student Pamela Kosgei (10,000m), who has two NCAA National Championships titles and represented Kenya at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships.
Pamela Kosgei (right) beats Caren Chebet to win women’s 3000m steeplechase final race during Athletics Kenya National Championships at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on June 24, 2023.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Other Kenyan students representing the university are Marion Jepngetich (5,000m), Mercy Kirarei (5,000m), Vincent Chirchir (5,000m), Evans Kiplagat (5,000m) and Collins Kiprotich (1,500m).
Oklahoma States University will be represented by a clutch of Kenyans, including Billah Jepkirui (5,000m), Maureen Cherotich (5,000m) Iscah Chelangat (5,000m), Laban Kipkemboi (3,000m steeplechase), Dennis Kipngetich (5,000m), Brian Musau (5,000m) and Zeddy Chongwo (Long Jump).
Another institution that has several Kenyans in its ranks is the Oklahoma University which shall be represented by Domitila Cheruto (10,000m), Evans Kurui (5,000m), Ronald Ngetich (5,000m), Thomas Cheruiyot (10,000m), Samuel Toili (400m) and Gladys Mumbe (4x400m relays).
University of Kentucky will be represented by vastly improved Rukia Nusra (100m Hurdles), who recently broke the national 100m hurdles record, Vanice Kerubo (400m hurdles), the national record holder over the distance, Janet Amimo (800m), Dorica Isoe (1,500m), Ann Lemirisho (5,000m) and Collins Kipngok (3,000m steeplechase).
Iowa State University has Rodgers Limo (10,000m), Joash Ruto (3,000m steeplechase), Meshack Kimutai (5,000m), Betty Kipkore (5,000m), Mercyline Kirwa (5,000m) and Mercy Kibet, while University of Kansas will be represented by Reagan Kibet (5,000m), Stephen Mororo (10,000m), Emmanuela Jemutai (1,500m), Maureen Chepkirui (800m), Ian Kipkogei (800m) and Barnabas Ndiwa (10,000m).
The University of Oregon, Eastern Kentucky University, University of Arkansas, Utah Valley University and Texas Christian University all have Kenyan representation.
Brian Musau (right) of Oklahoma State University holds his trophy after winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s 5,000m title at the Hayward Field in Oregon, Eugene on June 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
The NCAA Championships offer Kenyan athletes a big platform to showcase their talent on the international stage while also gaining valuable experience competing against some of the world’s best upcoming athletes.
Last year, Kenyan athletes made history at the NCAA Championships by winning six titles.
Ishmael Kipkirui, representing the University of New Mexico, bagged the men’s 10,000m title while her college mate Pamela Kosgei won the women’s 10,000m and 5,000m crowns
Winny Bii from the University of Texas A&M became the first Kenyan to win the triple jump title in NCAA history as Brian Musau from the Oklahoma State University won the 5,000m title. Doris Lemngole from the University of Alabama and a 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships contestant, won the women’s 3,000m steeplechase title.
Their success stories have continued to inspire many young athletes in Kenya who now view athletics scholarships as an avenue to pursue both academic and sporting success.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
