Thursday, June 11
Eugene, Ore.
8:38 p.m.
West Virginia University
vs
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Naukot Earns All-America Honors, Kinyanjui Advances to NCAA Final
June 12, 2026 12:15 AM | Track & Field
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team opened competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday evening at Hayward Field with a pair of standout performances from Joy Naukot and Mercy Kinyanjui.
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Naukot earned First Team All-America honors in the women's 10,000 meters, placing fifth overall in a time of 32:01.51. The finish secured the fifth All-America honor of her career across cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field.
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With the performance, Naukot became just the fifth Mountaineer in program history to earn All-America honors in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track during the same academic year. She joins Keri Bland, Clara Santucci, Marie-Louise Asselin and Ceili McCabe as the only women in program history to accomplish the feat.
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Kinyanjui advanced to Saturday's final of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase after finishing fifth in her heat with a personal-best time of 9:43.10.
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The personal best continues a strong postseason run for Kinyanjui, who earned All-Big 12 honors before qualifying for the NCAA Championships with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
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Kinyanjui returns to action in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final on Saturday, June 13, at 8:24 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
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West Virginia will also have Annishka McDonald competing in the women's high jump on Saturday as the Mountaineers conclude competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
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NCAA Championship Results
10,000 meters
5th – Joy Naukot – 32:01.51
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3,000 meters steeplechase
5th – Mercy Kinyanjui – 9:43.10
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For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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Naukot earned First Team All-America honors in the women's 10,000 meters, placing fifth overall in a time of 32:01.51. The finish secured the fifth All-America honor of her career across cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field.
Â
With the performance, Naukot became just the fifth Mountaineer in program history to earn All-America honors in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track during the same academic year. She joins Keri Bland, Clara Santucci, Marie-Louise Asselin and Ceili McCabe as the only women in program history to accomplish the feat.
Â
Kinyanjui advanced to Saturday's final of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase after finishing fifth in her heat with a personal-best time of 9:43.10.
Â
The personal best continues a strong postseason run for Kinyanjui, who earned All-Big 12 honors before qualifying for the NCAA Championships with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
Â
Kinyanjui returns to action in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final on Saturday, June 13, at 8:24 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Â
West Virginia will also have Annishka McDonald competing in the women's high jump on Saturday as the Mountaineers conclude competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Â
NCAA Championship Results
10,000 meters
5th – Joy Naukot – 32:01.51
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3,000 meters steeplechase
5th – Mercy Kinyanjui – 9:43.10
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For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
Saturday, March 01
Monday, June 10
Monday, December 05
Monday, May 16
