Thursday, June 11
Eugene, Ore.
8:38 p.m.
West Virginia University
vs
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Naukot Earns All-America Honors, Kinyanjui Advances to NCAA Final
June 12, 2026 12:15 AM | Track & Field
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team opened competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday evening at Hayward Field with a pair of standout performances from Joy Naukot and Mercy Kinyanjui.
Naukot earned First Team All-America honors in the women's 10,000 meters, placing fifth overall in a time of 32:01.51. The finish secured the fifth All-America honor of her career across cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field.
With the performance, Naukot became just the fifth Mountaineer in program history to earn All-America honors in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track during the same academic year. She joins Keri Bland, Clara Santucci, Marie-Louise Asselin and Ceili McCabe as the only women in program history to accomplish the feat.
Kinyanjui advanced to Saturday's final of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase after finishing fifth in her heat with a personal-best time of 9:43.10.
The personal best continues a strong postseason run for Kinyanjui, who earned All-Big 12 honors before qualifying for the NCAA Championships with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
Kinyanjui returns to action in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final on Saturday, June 13, at 8:24 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
West Virginia will also have Annishka McDonald competing in the women's high jump on Saturday as the Mountaineers conclude competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
NCAA Championship Results
10,000 meters
5th – Joy Naukot – 32:01.51
3,000 meters steeplechase
5th – Mercy Kinyanjui – 9:43.10
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Naukot earned First Team All-America honors in the women's 10,000 meters, placing fifth overall in a time of 32:01.51. The finish secured the fifth All-America honor of her career across cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field.
With the performance, Naukot became just the fifth Mountaineer in program history to earn All-America honors in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track during the same academic year. She joins Keri Bland, Clara Santucci, Marie-Louise Asselin and Ceili McCabe as the only women in program history to accomplish the feat.
Kinyanjui advanced to Saturday's final of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase after finishing fifth in her heat with a personal-best time of 9:43.10.
The personal best continues a strong postseason run for Kinyanjui, who earned All-Big 12 honors before qualifying for the NCAA Championships with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
Kinyanjui returns to action in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final on Saturday, June 13, at 8:24 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
West Virginia will also have Annishka McDonald competing in the women's high jump on Saturday as the Mountaineers conclude competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
NCAA Championship Results
10,000 meters
5th – Joy Naukot – 32:01.51
3,000 meters steeplechase
5th – Mercy Kinyanjui – 9:43.10
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
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