Photo by: Elisabeth Thornquist
Nine Jacks Qualify for NCAA West Regional
5/21/2026 3:01:00 PM | Track & Field
Anderson, Chepkoech clock in with top 15 regional times to highlight SFA representation in Fayetteville
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Nine Stephen F. Austin track & field standouts saw their outdoor seasons extended on Thursday afternoon after the NCAA announced West Regional qualifiers for next week's action in Fayetteville from May 27-30. Live coverage links will be made available at www.SFAjacks.com.
Among the nine Lumberjacks headed back to Northwest Arkansas, Jarvis Anderson and Elizabeth Chepkoech qualified with top 15 times.
Anderson set a new program record in the 400mH (49.98) at the Southland Conference Championships becoming the first Lumberjack in program history to dip below 50 seconds on his way to winning the event. His time is the 12th fastest in the West Region and fourth fastest among non-Power 4 hurdlers.
Chepkoech's program record in the 1500m last week in Nacogdoches bettered her previous top time and stands as the 13th fastest time in the West Region and the third-fastest among non-Power 4 distance runners.
Valentine Jemutai (10000m), Keyshawn Garcia (800m), Riley Elliott (1500m) and Paul Kiprotich (10000m) all qualified with times that make each the all-time fastest in their respective events. The qualifying marks by Hunter Murphy (HJ) and Kason Reed (SP) both rank third on the program's all-time lists, while Bryson Williams' (TJ) qualifying effort in the triple jump is .11m back of his career-best which rates as the third-longest effort by a Lumberjack.
2026 West Regional Qualifiers
Evaline Chepkoech | Women's 1500m | 4:10.82 | 13th fastest qualifying time
Valentine Jemutai | Women's 10000m | 33:26.94 | 34th fastest qualifying time
Keyshawn Garcia | Men's 800m | 1:48.21 | 44th fastest qualifying time
Riley Elliott | Men's 1500m | 3:40.01 | 33rd fastest qualifying time
Paul Kiprotich | Men's 10000m | 28:30.69 | 30th fastest qualifying time
Jarvis Anderson | Men's 400mH | 49.98 | 12th fastest qualifying time
Hunter Murphy | Men's High Jump | 2.15m | 25th longest qualifying mark
Bryson Williams | Men's Triple Jump | 15.99m | 19th longest qualifying mark
Kason Reed | Men's Shot Put | 17.93m | 45th longest qualifying mark
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information including meet results, athlete performances and additional news surrounding SFA track & field, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Among the nine Lumberjacks headed back to Northwest Arkansas, Jarvis Anderson and Elizabeth Chepkoech qualified with top 15 times.
Anderson set a new program record in the 400mH (49.98) at the Southland Conference Championships becoming the first Lumberjack in program history to dip below 50 seconds on his way to winning the event. His time is the 12th fastest in the West Region and fourth fastest among non-Power 4 hurdlers.
Chepkoech's program record in the 1500m last week in Nacogdoches bettered her previous top time and stands as the 13th fastest time in the West Region and the third-fastest among non-Power 4 distance runners.
Valentine Jemutai (10000m), Keyshawn Garcia (800m), Riley Elliott (1500m) and Paul Kiprotich (10000m) all qualified with times that make each the all-time fastest in their respective events. The qualifying marks by Hunter Murphy (HJ) and Kason Reed (SP) both rank third on the program's all-time lists, while Bryson Williams' (TJ) qualifying effort in the triple jump is .11m back of his career-best which rates as the third-longest effort by a Lumberjack.
2026 West Regional Qualifiers
Evaline Chepkoech | Women's 1500m | 4:10.82 | 13th fastest qualifying time
Valentine Jemutai | Women's 10000m | 33:26.94 | 34th fastest qualifying time
Keyshawn Garcia | Men's 800m | 1:48.21 | 44th fastest qualifying time
Riley Elliott | Men's 1500m | 3:40.01 | 33rd fastest qualifying time
Paul Kiprotich | Men's 10000m | 28:30.69 | 30th fastest qualifying time
Jarvis Anderson | Men's 400mH | 49.98 | 12th fastest qualifying time
Hunter Murphy | Men's High Jump | 2.15m | 25th longest qualifying mark
Bryson Williams | Men's Triple Jump | 15.99m | 19th longest qualifying mark
Kason Reed | Men's Shot Put | 17.93m | 45th longest qualifying mark
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information including meet results, athlete performances and additional news surrounding SFA track & field, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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