Cougs Make a Statement on Day One of the McCluskey Memorial Open
Moscow, Idaho - The first day of the Lauren McCluskey Memorial Open saw Washington State’s track and field squad come out firing, with five Cougars landing on the podium and a full sweep in the men’s 3000-meter race. It was a strong early-season showing that gave a glimpse of the depth and potential this team is bringing to the track in 2026.
Let’s start with the men’s 3000m, where WSU didn’t just win the race-they owned it. Evans Kurui led the charge, grabbing his first victory of the season with a time of 8:22.42.
Kurui looked in control from the jump, pulling away late to finish three seconds ahead of teammate Josphat Meli, who crossed in 8:25.39. Rounding out the Cougar podium sweep was Kutoven Stevens, clocking in at 8:26.25.
That’s three Cougs in the top three-a clean sweep that speaks volumes about the team’s distance depth.
Also worth noting: freshman Muhammed Ahmed made his debut in crimson and gray, finishing eighth with a time of 8:31.15. It’s a solid start for a runner just getting his feet wet at the collegiate level, especially in a race that featured 14 WSU athletes.
On the women’s side, Lindsay Siebert made her collegiate debut in the 1000m and nearly stole the show. She finished second with a time of 2:57.91, just half a second behind the winner.
That’s a strong opening statement in a new event, and it sets the tone for what could be a breakout season. Right behind her, Nicole Yanasak grabbed third with a time of 3:00.46, giving WSU a pair of top-three finishes in the event.
Jessica Duran also made some noise in the women’s 3000m, finishing fourth with a personal best of 10:17.92. That kind of improvement early in the season is exactly what coaches like to see-it’s a sign that the training is hitting the right notes and the athletes are progressing at the right pace.
While the men’s distance medley relay squads were both disqualified, the day was still marked by plenty of positives. From personal bests to podium sweeps, the Cougs showed they’re not just here to compete-they’re here to dominate.
WSU will be back on the track tomorrow as the McCluskey Memorial Open continues, with events kicking off at 10 a.m. PT. If day one was any indication, there’s plenty more to watch for as this team continues to build momentum.