Oklahoma State University’s men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams began their participation at the NCAA Indoor Championships with several notable performances, according to a March 13 announcement from the university.
The event saw Denis Kipngetich earn first team All-America honors in the men’s 5,000 meters after finishing seventh overall. This result gave the Cowboys two points in the team standings and marked Kipngetich’s second consecutive season scoring in this event at the national meet, following his fifth-place finish in 2025.
On the women’s side, senior Olivija Vaitaityte concluded her collegiate career by placing 11th in the pentathlon with 4,064 points. She received second team All-America honors for her performance. Vaitaityte leaves Oklahoma State as the program record holder in the pentathlon with a personal best of 4,219 points set at the Big 12 Championships two weeks prior.
Cowgirl junior Billah Jepkirui advanced to Saturday’s final in the mile after securing an automatic qualifying spot during Friday’s preliminary round with a time of 4:38.64. Jepkirui aims to become only the second Cowgirl to win an NCAA title in this event.
The Cowgirl Distance Medley Relay team finished eighth with a time of 10:52.79, earning first team All-America honors for the third time in four years. The relay featured three freshmen—Elyse Wilmes, Elise Eikeland, and Booke Beck—alongside senior Kaylie Politza on anchor.
Looking ahead, Jepkirui will compete in both the women’s mile final and later in the evening in the 3,000 meter final. Cowboy freshman Kevin Kemboi is also set to make his NCAA Championship debut in Saturday’s triple jump competition.
