MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho Track and Field earned solid recognition in the 2026 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Coaches' Poll,  with the women slated for fourth and the men picked seventh.

The Idaho men enter the outdoor season following a strong indoor campaign that featured multiple All-Conference finishes, highlighted by Big Sky record holder and 
conference champion Keenan Kuntz. UI kicked off its outdoor campaign at the Sam Adams Classic in Spokane last weekend, producing several standout performances. Blake Sturgis dominated the javelin with the best mark of the day, while Evan Hartt recorded a third-place finish in the shot put. Gioele Tengattini continued his strong performances from the indoor season by adding a second place finish in the discus, to follow up a podium finish at the Indoor Championships. Keenan Kuntz leads the legacy of notable achievements by Vandals, earning the first Big Sky Athlete of the Week in the outdoor season, alongside Sturgis. 

On the women's side, the Vandals look to build on a fourth-place finish at the conference indoor meet. The Black and Gold are led by several key contributors, including Big Sky indoor heptathlon champion Hanna Tait. Idaho's outdoor campaign got off to an impressive start at the Sam Adams Classic, highlighted by Kathryn Burnette who delivered Idaho's first outdoor victory of the year in discus. Adding to the early momentum, Jana Williams broke the school record in the 60-meter spring during the indoor season, showcasing her explosive speed and giving the Vandals a significant boost and highlights their record-setting performance not only elevating Idaho's potential on the track but setting a tone for a dynamic and competitive outdoor campaign. 

UI will continue the 2026 outdoor season this weekend at the West Coast Relays in Clovis, Calif. 

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