The Colorado track and field team is gearing up for an exciting weekend as they head to Lubbock, Texas, for the 2026 Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Championship, hosted by Texas Tech. Set to take place on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, this meet promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and determination.
Meet Coverage Details:
- Location: Sports Performance Center, Lubbock, Texas
- Live Results & Schedule: Available at cubuffs.com/tracklive
- Meet Information: Check out cubuffs.com/meetinfo
- Watch Live: Friday on ESPN+ and Saturday on ESPN+
Reflecting on last year's Big 12 Championships, the Buffs have a solid foundation to build on. Dean Casey snagged sixth in the men's 5000 meters, while Kole Mathison added points with an eighth-place finish in the 3000 meters.
Both the men's and women's distance medley relay teams clinched third, and Abbey Nechanicky led the women with a sixth-place finish in the 5000 meters. With these athletes returning, fans can expect some standout performances, particularly in the distance events and relays.
Spotlight on the Men's Mile:
Colorado's men's mile squad is a force to be reckoned with.
Isaiah Givens has been leading the NCAA mile leaderboard for over a month with his impressive 3:51.73 from the Potts Invitational. He's joined by Justine Kipkoech (3:53.05), Kole Mathison (3:54.87), and TJ Hansen (3:55.63).
All four will compete this weekend, setting the stage for an electrifying race.
Key Entrants:
- Men's 600y: Avery Pearson
- Women's 3000m: Jessie Secor, Ella Hagen, Holly Barker, Linda Weigang
- Women's 5000m: Abbey Nechanicky, Juliette Forstrom
- Distance Medley Relay: Avery Pearson, Abby Miller, Riley Burkey, Jessie Secor
- Women's Weight Throw: Amanda Opp
Recent Highlights:
The Buffs are coming off a record-breaking performance at the Colorado Last Chance meet.
Avery Pearson made history in the 800 meters, clocking an altitude-adjusted 1:59.98, smashing the previous school record and becoming the first woman in program history to break two minutes at altitude. Her mark ranks No. 7 in the NCAA this season and No. 16 on the NCAA all-time list.
On the men's side, the distance medley relay team of Justine Kipkoech, Danny Tragarz, Drew Costelow, and Isaiah Givens set a new program record with a time of 9:19.00. This performance currently places them 12th nationally, right at the cut-off for the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships.
Individual victories added to the team's momentum. Ernest Campbell took the 60-meter dash in 6.80, while Kole Mathison claimed the mile in 4:07.85. Freshman Linda Weigang also impressed with a personal-best runner-up finish in the women's mile.
With their sights set on the Big 12 Championships, the Buffs are bringing both confidence and momentum. Fans can look forward to a weekend of high-stakes competition and potentially more record-breaking performances.