Wednesday, June 10
Eugene, OR
Tulane University
at
NCAA Outdoor Championship
Kiptanui Secures Historic Runner-Up Finish
Jun 12, 2026 | Track & Field
EUGENE, Ore. – Silas Kiptanui made history for Tulane Friday night at Hayward Field as he finished as the runner-up in the 3,000m steeplechase in the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. With a time of 8:18.20, he becomes the first Tulane track and field athlete to finish as a national runner-up in any event ever.
After qualifying for the steeplechase final on Wednesday, Kiptanui took to the track Friday night with a trophy in his sights. The native of Rift Valley, Kenya, came up just short of the national championship, but his mark of 8:18.20 was good enough to finish second in the event. He was not far off of his school-record time of 8:18.09, which he set in the first round a couple weeks ago to advance to Eugene. Kiptanui was beaten only by Louisville's Geoffrey Kirwa, who posted a time of 8:17.46. The bronze medalist, Eastern Kentucky's Kristian Imroth, was over two seconds behind Kiptanui with a time of 8:20.91.
Entering today, no Tulane track and field athlete had ever finished better than third at an NCAA Championship, indoor or outdoor. In placing second, Kiptanui makes program history as the Green Wave's first-ever national runner-up in any event.
In placing second, the sophomore notched eight points for Tulane to put the Wave on the men's team leaderboard. With Kiptanui Tulane's lone competitor this week, those eight points were all the Wave got, but they were enough to tie Tulane for 30th on the leaderboard. In total, 65 teams on the men's side scored at least one point, meaning Kiptanui alone outscored programs.
With the conclusion of the race, the Tulane track and field season comes to a close. After a summer reprieve, the Green Wave will return to campus in the fall for the upcoming 2026 cross country campaign.
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.
After qualifying for the steeplechase final on Wednesday, Kiptanui took to the track Friday night with a trophy in his sights. The native of Rift Valley, Kenya, came up just short of the national championship, but his mark of 8:18.20 was good enough to finish second in the event. He was not far off of his school-record time of 8:18.09, which he set in the first round a couple weeks ago to advance to Eugene. Kiptanui was beaten only by Louisville's Geoffrey Kirwa, who posted a time of 8:17.46. The bronze medalist, Eastern Kentucky's Kristian Imroth, was over two seconds behind Kiptanui with a time of 8:20.91.
Entering today, no Tulane track and field athlete had ever finished better than third at an NCAA Championship, indoor or outdoor. In placing second, Kiptanui makes program history as the Green Wave's first-ever national runner-up in any event.
In placing second, the sophomore notched eight points for Tulane to put the Wave on the men's team leaderboard. With Kiptanui Tulane's lone competitor this week, those eight points were all the Wave got, but they were enough to tie Tulane for 30th on the leaderboard. In total, 65 teams on the men's side scored at least one point, meaning Kiptanui alone outscored programs.
With the conclusion of the race, the Tulane track and field season comes to a close. After a summer reprieve, the Green Wave will return to campus in the fall for the upcoming 2026 cross country campaign.
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.
Players Mentioned
/ Track & Field
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