University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
NCAA East Regionals
Fourteen Panthers Chase Eugene Berths at NCAA East First Round
5/26/2026 11:48:00 AM | Track & Field
LEXINGTON, KY. - Fourteen Pitt track & field student-athletes head to Lexington this week for the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field East First Round, set for Wednesday through Saturday, May 27-30, at the UK Track & Field Complex on the campus of host Kentucky. The Panthers arrive on the back of a productive showing at the 2026 ACC Outdoor Championships in Louisville, where the program added a school record in the women's 4x100 relay, two silver medals — Emeka Ugwu in the shot put and Eva Baldursdottir in the high jump — and a wave of personal bests. Eight Panthers earned All-ACC finishes in the meet's finals, building the kind of postseason form that travels well into the regional.
The Panthers will contest 11 events across the four-day meet — five on the men's side, six on the women's, plus the women's 4x100 relay — chasing one of 12 berths per event that punch a ticket to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 10-13, at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Track events run two rounds at the regional — a First Round and a Quarterfinal — while field events contest a single round, with the top 12 marks advancing directly to Eugene. The capsules below break down each athlete's path through the meet: heat and flight assignments, seeds, career and season-bests, school records, and the rounds standing between them and the national championship.
DARREN McQUEEN JR. — MEN'S 100 METERS
Senior · Heat 3, Lane 4
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of First Round – Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 p.m. ET
Day/Time of Quarterfinals – Friday, May 29, 6:35 p.m. ET
McQueen's Seed – 25 (10.16, wind-aided at the 2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
McQueen's Career-Best – 10.23 (wind-legal; 2025 ACC Outdoor Championships)
McQueen's 2025-26 Season-Best – 10.39 (wind-legal; 2026 Pepsi Florida Relays, April 3, 2026)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 5th in the 100 final at 10.24 (+1.9, wind-legal)
Pitt School Record – 10.04 | Lee McRae, 1988
2025 Quarterfinal Qualifying Time – 10.40
2025 National Qualifying Time – 10.13
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Wednesday, the 48 sprinters are broken down into six heats of eight runners each. The top three from each heat, plus the next six best times, will advance to Friday's quarterfinal. McQueen will compete in the third heat of the day. Those 24 runners will be broken into three heats of eight for Friday's quarterfinal. The top three runners in each heat, plus the next three best times, will advance to the national championship in Eugene.
JADEN SHELTON — MEN'S 110-METER HURDLES
Senior · Heat 5, Lane 8
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of First Round – Wednesday, May 27, 6:00 p.m. ET
Day/Time of Quarterfinals – Friday, May 29, 6:15 p.m. ET
Shelton's Seed – 37 (13.83, 2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
Shelton's Career-Best – 13.63 (2025 ACC Outdoor Championships)
Shelton's 2025-26 Season-Best – 13.83 (2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 7th in the 110H final at 13.85 (+0.7)
Pitt School Record – 13.21 | Eric Cannon, 1989
2025 Quarterfinal Qualifying Time – 13.97
2025 National Qualifying Time – 13.56
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Wednesday, the 48 hurdlers are broken down into six heats of eight runners each. The top three from each heat, plus the next six best times, will advance to Friday's quarterfinal. Shelton will compete in the fifth heat of the day. Those 24 runners will be broken into three heats of eight for Friday's quarterfinal. The top three runners in each heat, plus the next three best times, will advance to the national championship in Eugene.
LUKE SIMPSON — MEN'S 1,500 METERS
Senior · Heat 4, Position 1
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of First Round – Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. ET
Day/Time of Quarterfinals – Friday, May 29, 5:15 p.m. ET
Simpson's Seed – 41 (3:41.01, 2026 Bison Outdoor Classic)
Simpson's Career-Best – 3:41.01 (2026 Bison Outdoor Classic, April 11, 2026)
Simpson's 2025-26 Season-Best – 3:41.01 (2026 Bison Outdoor Classic, April 11, 2026)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 10th in the 1,500 final at 3:43.76
Pitt School Record – 3:41.01 | Luke Simpson, 4/11/26 (program record holder)
2025 Quarterfinal Qualifying Time – 3:44.32
2025 National Qualifying Time – 3:44.96
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Wednesday, the 48 runners are broken down into four heats of 12 runners each. The top five from each heat, plus the next four best times, will advance to Friday's quarterfinal. Simpson will compete in the fourth heat of the day. Those 24 runners will be broken into two heats of 12 for Friday's quarterfinal. The top five runners in each heat, plus the next two best times, will advance to the national championship in Eugene.
EMEKA UGWU — MEN'S SHOT PUT
Sophomore · Flight 3, Position 3
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of Competition – Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. ET (one round; top 12 advance to Eugene)
Ugwu's Seed – 17 (18.65m / 61-2.5; 2026 Carnegie Mellon Invitational, March 27, 2026)
Ugwu's Career-Best – 18.65m / 61-2.5 (2026 Carnegie Mellon Invitational)
Ugwu's 2025-26 Season-Best – 18.65m / 61-2.5 (2026 Carnegie Mellon Invitational)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – Silver medalist at 18.60m / 61-0.25
Pitt School Record – 18.71m / 61-4.75 | Justin Clickett, 2005
2025 Qualifying Mark for Eugene – 18.77m / 61-7
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Wednesday, the 48 throwers are broken down into four seeded flights of 12 athletes each, organized worst-to-best. Each thrower gets three attempts. Ugwu will compete in the third flight. The top 12 marks overall across all four flights — no ties — will advance directly to the national championship in Eugene. There is no separate quarterfinal round for field events.
JOSIAH MONTGOMERY — MEN'S SHOT PUT
Freshman · Flight 1, Position 2
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of Competition – Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. ET (one round; top 12 advance to Eugene)
Montgomery's Seed – 43 (17.91m / 58-9.25; 2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
Montgomery's Career-Best – 17.91m / 58-9.25 (2026 ACC Outdoor Championships, 6th place)
Montgomery's 2025-26 Season-Best – 17.91m / 58-9.25 (2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 6th at 17.91m / 58-9.25 (career-best, set in his ACC debut)
Pitt School Record – 18.71m / 61-4.75 | Justin Clickett, 2005
2025 Qualifying Mark for Eugene – 18.77m / 61-7
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Wednesday, the 48 throwers are broken down into four seeded flights of 12 athletes each, organized worst-to-best. Each thrower gets three attempts. Montgomery will compete in the first flight. The top 12 marks overall across all four flights — no ties — will advance directly to the national championship in Eugene. There is no separate quarterfinal round for field events.
URI ARNON — MEN'S TRIPLE JUMP
Senior · Flight 3, Position 2
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of Competition – Friday, May 29, 6:00 p.m. ET (one round; top 12 advance to Eugene)
Arnon's Seed – 20 (15.71m / 51-6.5; wind-aided, NCAA-approved for seeding only)
Arnon's Career-Best (wind-legal) – 15.46m / 50-8.5 (2026)
Arnon's 2025-26 Season-Best (wind-legal) – 15.46m / 50-8.5 (2026)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 7th at 15.68m / 51-5.5 (wind-aided; best wind-legal jump 15.46m)
Pitt School Record – 15.94m / 52-3.5 | Imani Brown (2015) / Larry Kinney (1980), tied
2025 Qualifying Mark for Eugene – 15.80m / 51-10
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Friday, the 48 jumpers are broken down into four seeded flights of 12 athletes each, organized worst-to-best. Each jumper gets three attempts. Arnon will compete in the third flight. The top 12 marks overall across all four flights — no ties — will advance directly to the national championship in Eugene. There is no separate quarterfinal round for field events.
SOMIYAH BRAGGS — WOMEN'S 100 METERS
Junior · Heat 1, Lane 9
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of First Round – Thursday, May 28, 7:00 p.m. ET
Day/Time of Quarterfinals – Saturday, May 30, 6:35 p.m. ET
Braggs' Seed – 48 (11.38; 2026 Akron Last Chance Invitational, May 7, 2026)
Braggs' Career-Best – 11.38 (2026 Akron Last Chance Invitational) Braggs'
2025-26 Season-Best – 11.38 (2026 Akron Last Chance Invitational)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 7th in the 100 final at 11.49 (+1.1)
Pitt School Record – 11.27 | Cambrya Jones, 2012
2025 Quarterfinal Qualifying Time – 11.34
2025 National Qualifying Time – 11.24
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Thursday, the 48 sprinters are broken down into six heats of eight runners each. The top three from each heat, plus the next six best times, will advance to Saturday's quarterfinal. Braggs will compete in the first heat of the day. Those 24 runners will be broken into three heats of eight for Saturday's quarterfinal. The top three runners in each heat, plus the next three best times, will advance to the national championship in Eugene.
SOMIYAH BRAGGS — WOMEN'S 200 METERS
Junior · Heat 1, Lane 9
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of First Round – Thursday, May 28, 8:45 p.m. ET
Day/Time of Quarterfinals – Saturday, May 30, 7:50 p.m. ET
Braggs' Seed – 40 (23.26; wind-aided, NCAA-approved for seeding only)
Braggs' Career-Best (wind-legal) – 23.41 (2026)
Braggs' 2025-26 Season-Best (wind-legal) – 23.41 (2026)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 11th in the 200 preliminaries at 23.41 (career-best set in prelims, did not advance to final)
Pitt School Record – 22.72 | Cambrya Jones, 2012
2025 Quarterfinal Qualifying Time – 23.49
2025 National Qualifying Time – 23.07
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Thursday, the 48 sprinters are broken down into six heats of eight runners each. The top three from each heat, plus the next six best times, will advance to Saturday's quarterfinal. Braggs will compete in the first heat of the day. Those 24 runners will be broken into three heats of eight for Saturday's quarterfinal. The top three runners in each heat, plus the next three best times, will advance to the national championship in Eugene.
NIYA CRAWFORD — WOMEN'S SHOT PUT
Senior · Flight 3, Position 9
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of Competition – Thursday, May 28, 6:30 p.m. ET (one round; top 12 advance to Eugene)
Crawford's Seed – 21 (16.54m / 54-3.25; 2026 Carnegie Mellon Invitational, March 27, 2026)
Crawford's Career-Best – 16.54m / 54-3.25 (2026 Carnegie Mellon Invitational) Crawford's
2025-26 Season-Best – 16.54m / 54-3.25 (2026 Carnegie Mellon Invitational)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 5th at 15.97m / 52-4.75
Pitt School Record – 16.80m / 55-1.5 | Amanda Walker, 2005
2025 Qualifying Mark for Eugene – 16.83m / 55-2.75
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Thursday, the 48 throwers are broken down into four seeded flights of 12 athletes each, organized worst-to-best. Each thrower gets three attempts. Crawford will compete in the third flight. The top 12 marks overall across all four flights — no ties — will advance directly to the national championship in Eugene. There is no separate quarterfinal round for field events.
ALEXANDRIA SCOTT — WOMEN'S 400-METER HURDLES
Sophomore · Heat 3, Lane 7
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of First Round – Thursday, May 28, 8:20 p.m. ET
Day/Time of Quarterfinals – Saturday, May 30, 7:25 p.m. ET
Scott's Seed – 16 (57.53; 2026 ACC Outdoor Championships, 4th place)
Scott's Career-Best – 57.53 (2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
Scott's 2025-26 Season-Best – 57.53 (2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 4th in the 400H final at 57.53 (career-best set in the final)
Pitt School Record – 56.87 | Evann Thompson, 2014
2025 Quarterfinal Qualifying Time – 58.37
2025 National Qualifying Time – 57.16
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Thursday, the 48 hurdlers are broken down into six heats of eight runners each. The top three from each heat, plus the next six best times, will advance to Saturday's quarterfinal. Scott will compete in the third heat of the day. Those 24 runners will be broken into three heats of eight for Saturday's quarterfinal. The top three runners in each heat, plus the next three best times, will advance to the national championship in Eugene.
JANA BRUSES — WOMEN'S 400-METER HURDLES
Senior · Heat 1, Lane 9
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of First Round – Thursday, May 28, 8:20 p.m. ET
Day/Time of Quarterfinals – Saturday, May 30, 7:25 p.m. ET
Bruses' Seed – 29 (58.26; 2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
Bruses' Career-Best – 58.26 (2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
Bruses' 2025-26 Season-Best – 58.26 (2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 8th in the 400H final at 59.01 (career-best 58.26 set in the prelims)
Pitt School Record – 56.87 | Evann Thompson, 2014
2025 Quarterfinal Qualifying Time – 58.37
2025 National Qualifying Time – 57.16
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Thursday, the 48 hurdlers are broken down into six heats of eight runners each. The top three from each heat, plus the next six best times, will advance to Saturday's quarterfinal. Bruses will compete in the first heat of the day. Those 24 runners will be broken into three heats of eight for Saturday's quarterfinal. The top three runners in each heat, plus the next three best times, will advance to the national championship in Eugene.
EVA BALDURSDOTTIR — WOMEN'S HIGH JUMP
Senior · Flight 2, Position 19
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of Competition – Saturday, May 30, 2:00 p.m. ET (Semifinals; top 12 advance to Eugene)
Baldursdottir's Seed – 17 (1.80m / 5-10.75)
Baldursdottir's Career-Best – 1.84m / 6-0.5 (2025; No. 2 on Pitt's all-time outdoor list)
Baldursdottir's 2025-26 Season-Best – 1.80m / 5-10.75 (2026)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – Silver medalist at 1.80m / 5-10.75 (cleared every height through 1.80m on her first attempt or earlier)
Career Postseason Note – 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships Second Team All-American
Pitt School Record – 1.89m / 6-2.25 | Najuma Fletcher, 1995
2025 Qualifying Mark for Eugene – 1.79m / 5-10.5
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Saturday, the high jumpers are broken into two flights, with bars rising simultaneously across both. The opening bar is 1.71m (5-7.25), progressing to 1.76m, 1.79m, and then in three-centimeter increments. Baldursdottir will compete in the second flight. The top 12 overall placers across both flights will advance directly to the national championship in Eugene, with a jump-off used to break a tie at the 12th spot if necessary. There is no separate quarterfinal round for field events.
WOMEN'S 4x100 RELAY
Heat 2, Lane 9 · School-record holders
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Day/Time of Competition – Saturday, May 30, 5:00 p.m. ET (Quarterfinals; top 3 from each of 3 heats plus next best 3 advance to Eugene)
Relay Seed – 18 (44.09; 2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
Running Four – Maliah Edwards (JR), Somiyah Braggs (JR), Alma Evuna Eki (SR), Faith Dennis (SO)
Career and 2025-26 Season-Best (this unit) – 44.09 (2026 ACC Outdoor Championships)
2026 ACC Outdoor Result – 6th in the final at 44.09 (school record set in the final, erasing a mark that had stood since 2011)
Pitt School Record – 44.09 | Edwards, Braggs, Eki, Dennis, 2026 ACC Outdoor Championships (this unit holds the program standard, erasing a mark that had stood since 2011)
2025 National Qualifying Time – 43.72
HOW TO QUALIFY
On Saturday, the 24 relay teams are broken into three heats of eight, with random lane assignments. The 4x100 relay contests a single round at the regional with no preceding First Round. Pitt will run in the second heat. The top three teams from each heat, plus the next three best times overall, will advance to the national championship in Eugene.
Wednesday, May 27
6:00 pm – Men's 110 hurdles First Round (Jaden Shelton)
6:30 pm – Men's 1500 First Round (Luke Simpson)
6:30 pm – Men's shot put First Round (Emeka Ugwu, Josiah Montgomery)
7:00 pm – Men's 100 First Round (Darren McQueen Jr.)
Thursday, May 28
6:30 pm – Women's shot put (Niya Crawford)
8:20 pm – Women's 400 hurdles First Round (Alexandria Scott, Jana Bruses)
8:45 pm – Women's 200 First Round (Somiyah Braggs)
Friday, May 29
5:15 pm – Men's 1500 Quarterfinals (Luke Simpson)
6:00 pm – Men's triple jump First Round (Uri Arnon)
6:15 pm – Men's 110 hurdles Quarterfinals (Jaden Shelton)
6:35 pm – Men's 100 Quarterfinals (Darren McQueen Jr.)
Saturday, May 30
2:00 pm – Women's high jump Semifinals (Eva Baldursdottir)
5:00 pm – Women's 400 relay Quarterfinals (Maliah Edwards, Somiyah Braggs, Alma Evuna Eki, Faith Dennis, alt: Gabrielle Layne)
7:25 pm – Women's 400 hurdles Quarterfinals (Alexandria Scott, Jana Bruses)
7:50 pm – Women's 200 Quarterfinals (Somiyah Braggs)
