MOSCOW, Idaho - Following strong seasons, Blake Sturgis, Constanze Paoli, and Keenan Kuntz have punched their ticket to the 2026 NCAA Track and Field West First Round in Fayetteville, Ark., beginning on Wednesday, May 27. The top 12 times from each regional will earn a spot at June's NCAA National Championship in Eugene, Ore. 

"Super excited to announce our regional qualifiers!" Director of Track and Field Tracy Hellman said following the announcement Thursday. "All of these athletes have not only had a great season but they are trending in the right direction as we head to the NCAA regionals.  It will be fun to see what they can accomplish in this next phase of the championship season." 

Sturgis punched his ticket to Arkansas through a 73.21m (240' 2") throw at the Whitworth Peace Meet in April. The Spokane native earned all-conference honors at the Big Sky Championship, finishing second, and will be making his third career regional appearance after qualifying in each of the past two seasons at Washington State. Surgis will compete at noon on Wednesday, May 27. 

Paoli earned her spot in the 3000m steeplechase after her stellar, Big Sky championship-winning performance at last weekend's conference meet, where the junior ran a school record 9:50.89. The Alzenau, Germany native will enter her first regionals with the 10th fastest time in the nation and the fourth best in the west region. The steeplechase is set for 3:40 PT Saturday, May 30. 

Kuntz will compete in both of the premier sprint events for the Vandals: the 100m after a qualifying time of 10.18, and the 200 with a season-best of 20.58. He earned two conference medals last week, one in each of the two events, and set the Big Sky 60m record during the indoor season, winning the conference title in the event as well. The Richland, Wash. native will be busy on Friday, May 29, as the 100 is scheduled for 4:35 PT, with the 200 following at 5:50 PT.