Wednesday, June 10
Eugene, OR
Tulane University
at
NCAA Outdoor Championship
Photo by: Kelsey McHugh
Kiptanui Set to Compete in NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Jun 9, 2026 | Track & Field
EUGENE, Ore. – Tulane sophomore Silas Kiptanui is aiming to make history this week at Hayward Field as he competes in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Kiptanui advanced to the national meet with his record-breaking performance two weeks ago in Lexington, Kentucky, at the NCAA East Regional.
In advancing to the national championships, Kiptanui is making his second-straight appearance in the national meet. He finished ninth in the steeplechase last season. This is the fourth-straight season that at least one Tulane athlete is competing in the national meet. Kiptanui is looking to make history, as no Green Wave athlete has ever finished better than third in any event at the NCAA Championships. Kiptanui could become the first Wave athlete to finish as either the runner-up or champion, and should he claim the national title, he would be the first Tulane individual national champion in any sport since Ava Andersen won the singlehanded national championship in sailing in 2023. The last Wave NCAA individual national champion was Jose Aguero of men's tennis back in 1955.
The sophomore from Rift Valley, Kenya, won the gold medal for both the steeplechase and the 5,000m at the American Outdoor Championships, repeating as the steeplechase champion. Kiptanui entered the first round meet with what was the fifth-best time in the nation, but he wound up shattering that mark en route to qualifying once more for nationals. Delivering a time of 8:18.09, Kiptanui bested his own record for both the program and the American Conference. Furthermore, he set a facility record while checking in with the seventh-best time in NCAA Division I history.
Competition in Eugene for the steeplechase is broken into a semifinal and final. The semifinals, featuring heats for all 24 qualified runners, will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, June 10, at 7:38 p.m. CT. The 12 athletes who advance to the finals will race for a national championship two days later on Friday, June 12. That event is scheduled for 7:24 p.m. CT. All four days of the championships, including both of Kiptanui's races, will air on ESPN2. Live results can be found here.
Once Kiptanui crosses the finish line for the final time this week, Tulane's outdoor track and field campaign will officially be closed. From there, preparations will begin for the 2026-27 cross country and track and field seasons.
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.
In advancing to the national championships, Kiptanui is making his second-straight appearance in the national meet. He finished ninth in the steeplechase last season. This is the fourth-straight season that at least one Tulane athlete is competing in the national meet. Kiptanui is looking to make history, as no Green Wave athlete has ever finished better than third in any event at the NCAA Championships. Kiptanui could become the first Wave athlete to finish as either the runner-up or champion, and should he claim the national title, he would be the first Tulane individual national champion in any sport since Ava Andersen won the singlehanded national championship in sailing in 2023. The last Wave NCAA individual national champion was Jose Aguero of men's tennis back in 1955.
The sophomore from Rift Valley, Kenya, won the gold medal for both the steeplechase and the 5,000m at the American Outdoor Championships, repeating as the steeplechase champion. Kiptanui entered the first round meet with what was the fifth-best time in the nation, but he wound up shattering that mark en route to qualifying once more for nationals. Delivering a time of 8:18.09, Kiptanui bested his own record for both the program and the American Conference. Furthermore, he set a facility record while checking in with the seventh-best time in NCAA Division I history.
Competition in Eugene for the steeplechase is broken into a semifinal and final. The semifinals, featuring heats for all 24 qualified runners, will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, June 10, at 7:38 p.m. CT. The 12 athletes who advance to the finals will race for a national championship two days later on Friday, June 12. That event is scheduled for 7:24 p.m. CT. All four days of the championships, including both of Kiptanui's races, will air on ESPN2. Live results can be found here.
Once Kiptanui crosses the finish line for the final time this week, Tulane's outdoor track and field campaign will officially be closed. From there, preparations will begin for the 2026-27 cross country and track and field seasons.
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
Monday, February 19
Tuesday, August 29
Thursday, January 19
Friday, January 28
