Photo by: Kelsey McHugh
Kiptanui Qualifies for National Championship with Record-Breaking Performance
May 29, 2026 | Track & Field
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Silas Kiptanui punched his ticket to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in fashion Friday evening, breaking multiple records with his mark in the 3,000m steeplechase at the UK Outdoor Track and Field Complex. He won his heat and topped the leaderboard for the whole event while breaking the school, conference, and facility records with his time of 8:18.09 in the NCAA Outdoor First Round.
Kiptanui was the lone Tulane athlete in action today. Running in the second of three heats, Kiptanui was a part of a four-man group that paced the field for the majority of the race until his final kick at the end propelled him to victory by over two seconds. By finishing in the top three of his heat, Kiptanui qualified for the national championship for a second-straight season.
The Green Wave sophomore did not just top his heat, he won the event as a whole while setting multiple records in the process. Kiptanui's time of 8:18.09 broke his own record for both the program and the American Conference, which he set earlier this season with a time of 8:25.16. Not done there, he shattered the facility record for the UK Outdoor Track and Field Complex, previously set last season by Kentucky's Collins Kiprop Kipngok at a pace of 8:26.33.
One more Wave athlete will be in action tomorrow during the final day of competition in the east regional. Cara Salsberry will compete in the women's discus at 12:00 p.m. CT as she looks to join Kiptanui in Eugene two weeks from now.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and men's and women's basketball campaigns can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane cross country and track & field on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
GREEN WAVE CLUB
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting GreenWaveClub.com.
Kiptanui was the lone Tulane athlete in action today. Running in the second of three heats, Kiptanui was a part of a four-man group that paced the field for the majority of the race until his final kick at the end propelled him to victory by over two seconds. By finishing in the top three of his heat, Kiptanui qualified for the national championship for a second-straight season.
The Green Wave sophomore did not just top his heat, he won the event as a whole while setting multiple records in the process. Kiptanui's time of 8:18.09 broke his own record for both the program and the American Conference, which he set earlier this season with a time of 8:25.16. Not done there, he shattered the facility record for the UK Outdoor Track and Field Complex, previously set last season by Kentucky's Collins Kiprop Kipngok at a pace of 8:26.33.
One more Wave athlete will be in action tomorrow during the final day of competition in the east regional. Cara Salsberry will compete in the women's discus at 12:00 p.m. CT as she looks to join Kiptanui in Eugene two weeks from now.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and men's and women's basketball campaigns can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane cross country and track & field on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
GREEN WAVE CLUB
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting GreenWaveClub.com.
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