NEW BRITAIN, CT. - Chicago State opened competition Saturday at the first day of the 2026 NEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships highlighted a conference title, podium finishes, and multiple Cougar athletes advancing to championship finals in their events.
The women's long jump was dominated by Chicago State as the Cougars claimed the top two spots and placed three athletes in the top five. Chicago State University Athletics senior Lena Cleveland captured the conference title with a leap of 5.66 meters, while Phebe Thompson finished runner-up at 5.62 meters. Makiyah Brewton added valuable team points with a fifth-place mark of 5.53 meters.
On the men's side, Xavier Beatty earned a fourth-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 7.12 meters, while teammate Skylar McGhee followed closely in sixth at 6.98 meters. Collins Kuyo also scored in the men's 10,000 meters, placing eighth in 32:09.23.
Chicago State also put together an impressive showing in the hurdle preliminaries. Faustin Kaseba led the men's 110-meter hurdles field with the fastest qualifying time of 14.40 to secure a spot in the final. Ishan Cooper (15.22) and Jerrick Kelley (15.30) also advanced, giving the Cougars three finalists in the event.
Katherine Thornton advanced in both hurdle events for the women, posting a first-place qualifying time of 1:02.35 in the 400-meter hurdles and adding a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter hurdle preliminaries. Michael Rabogo also moved on to the men's 400-meter hurdles final after clocking 55.06.
The Cougars were equally sharp in the sprint events. Latonia Johnson won the women's 100-meter preliminaries in 12.11, while Queanna Taylor followed in second at 12.12 as both earned automatic qualifying spots. Jaya Harrigan also advanced on time with a 12.62 performance. In the women's 200 meters, Taylor secured an automatic berth with a fifth-place prelim time of 25.29, while Johnson also advanced with a time qualifier in 25.37.
In middle distance action, Weronika Stanczak qualified for the women's 800-meter final after running 2:18.41, while Denis Kiuri advanced to the men's 1500-meter final in 4:00.49.
Chicago State returns to action Sunday, May 3 looking to build on a productive opening day with several Cougars set to compete for more conference titles and add to the team title chances.
Chicago State Top Eight Finishers
Men's 10,000 Meters Final
8 Collins Kuyo – 32:09.23
Men's Long Jump
4 Xavier Beatty – 7.12m
6 Skylar McGhee – 6.98m
Men's 1500 Prelim
5 Denis Kiuri – 4:00.49
Women's Long Jump
1 Lena Cleveland – 5.66m
2 Phebe Thompson – 5.62m
5 Makiyah Brewton – 5.53m
110 Meter Hurdles Prelim
1 Faustin Kaseba – 14.40 (Q)
3 Ishan Cooper – 15.22 (q)
4 Jerrick Kelley – 15.30 (q)
100 Meter Hurdles Prelim
6 Katherine Thornton – 14.98
Women's 100 Meters Prelim
1 Latonia Johnson – 12.11 (Q)
2 Queanna Taylor – 12.12 (Q)
7 Jaya Harrigan – 12.62 (q)
Men's Hammer
8 Joshua Keaton – 48.76m
Women's Shot Put
5 Bryanna Boroze – 11.91m
Women's 800 Meters Prelim
5 Weronika Stanczak – 2:18.41 (Q)
Men's 400 Hurdles Prelim
5 Michael Rabogo – 55.06 (q)
Women's 400 Hurdles Prelim
1 Katherine Thornton – 1:02.35 (Q)
Women's 200 Meters Prelim
5 Queanna Taylor – 25 29 (Q)
6 Latonia Johnson – 25.37 (q)
