TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizona Track & Field opened competition at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships on Thursday, totaling 18 points on the men's side and 13 points on the women's side through day one of competition.
The Wildcats were highlighted by seven medal-winning performances, including junior Jett Kinder becoming Arizona's first 2026 Big 12 Outdoor Champion with a gold medal in the men's javelin. Kinder secured the title with a personal-best throw of 229-9 (70.02m) on his final attempt, moving from fourth into first place in the standings. The mark ties for eighth all-time in outdoor program history and currently ranks 26th nationally.
Arizona also picked up medals from Tyler Michelini and Michael Ogbeiwi in the men's hammer throw and Evans Tanui in the men's 10,000m. Michelini placed fifth with a personal-best throw of 208-11 (63.68m), moving to 10th all-time in outdoor program history, while Tanui earned his first career Big 12 medal with a seventh-place finish in the 10,000m in 29:43.27. Ogbeiwi scored in the men's hammer throw, placing seventh with a mark of 197-4 (60.15m) to earn two points.
The Wildcats earned three medals in the women's javelin, led by Erin Tack's silver-medal performance with a throw of 173-3 (52.81m). The mark gives Tack the top four throws in outdoor program history. Aislin Martinez placed sixth with a lifetime-best throw of 155-6 (47.40m), moving into the top 10 in program history, while Emily Psarras finished seventh with a throw of 154-4 (47.04m).
Mason Lawyer advanced to the final of the men's 200m after running a season-best 20.49 in the prelims. The mark ranks fifth all-time in program history and currently sits 30th nationally.
Lawi Ngetich qualified for the final of the men's 1500m with the fifth-fastest preliminary time of 3:45.28.
Mckenna Watson broke a 24-year-old school record in the women's 200m, running a lifetime-best time of 22.90 to qualify seventh overall for the final. Her time currently ranks 42nd nationally.
Yan Vasquez advanced to the men's 400m hurdles final after clocking the fifth-fastest preliminary time of 50.74.
BIG 12 SCORERS
MEN
Jett Kinder – First, Javelin, 10 Points
Tyler Michelini – Fifth, Hammer Throw, 4 Points
Evans Tanui – Seventh, 10,000m, 2 Points
Michael Ogbeiwi – Seventh, Hammer Throw, 2 Points
WOMEN
Erin Tack – Second, Javelin, 8 Points
Aislin Martinez – Sixth, Javelin, 3 Points
Emily Psarras – Seventh, Javelin, 2 Points
SCHOOL RECORD PERFORMANCES
Mckenna Watson – Women's 200m, 22.90
