Alabama
NCAA East First Round
Tide Sends Eight to Outdoor National Championships on Third Day of Regional Competition
5/30/2026 1:10:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Eight berths to the national meet, across six events, highlighted the third day of the NCAA East First Round
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Alabama track and field concluded the third day of the NCAA East First Round by securing eight berths to the Outdoor National Championships across six events.
Samuel Ogazi highlighted the final day of the men's competition by posting his second sub-44-second time within two weeks. Running a blistering 43.82 in the 400-meter national quarterfinals on Friday, Ogazi reclaimed the world lead, lowered his Nigerian national record, broke the Crimson Tide's school record and moved to No. 3 all-time in NCAA history.
For the second year in a row, UA's discus trio of Trevor Gunzell (second | 61.77m (202-8)), Christopher Crawford (third | 61.73m (202-6)) and Christopher Young (eighth | 58.26m (191-2)) all punched their tickets to Hayward Field. Bismack Kipchirchir's personal-best 8:29.73 in the steeplechase maintained his No. 4 position all-time at UA and qualified him for the national meet. David Thid lowered his personal best in the 400-meter hurdles (49.12) for the second time in two days to advance to Eugene, Ore., while sprints group teammate Alpha Balde also recorded a personal best, as his 20.39 in the 200 meters moved him to No. 7 all-time at UA. The Crimson Tide's 4x400-meter relay contingent of Mouatez Sikiou, Ogazi, Gregory Lapit and Alex Osayemi (3:02.45) rounded out the third day of regional competition with their own national berth.
Up Next – Day Four Schedule of NCAA East First Round
- UA field events will begin at noon CT
- Women's discus – Joyce Oguama (Flight 4)
- UA track events will start at 4 p.m.
- Women's 4x100m relay (Heat 2)
Day Three Top Results
- 200m
- 9th: Alpha Balde | men's national quarterfinal | 20.39 – PR, No. 7 all-time at UA
- 400m
- 1st: Samuel Ogazi | men's national quarterfinal | 43.82 – world-leading time, No. 3 all-time in NCAA, facility record, Alabama school record, Nigerian national record
- Second sub-44-second time in two weeks (SEC Outdoor Championships)
- 1st: Samuel Ogazi | men's national quarterfinal | 43.82 – world-leading time, No. 3 all-time in NCAA, facility record, Alabama school record, Nigerian national record
- 4x400m Relay
- 8th: Mouatez Sikiou, Ogazi, Gregory Lapit, Alexander Osayemi | men's national quarterfinal | 3:02.45
- 400m Hurdles
- 9th: David Thid | men's national quarterfinal | 49.12 – PR, No. 3 all-time at UA
- 3,000m Steeplechase
- 5th: Bismack Kipchirchir | men's national quarterfinal | 8:29.73 – PR, No. 4 all-time at UA
- Discus
- 2nd: Trevor Gunzell | men's national first round | 61.77m (202-8)
- 3rd: Christopher Crawford | men's national first round | 61.73m (202-6)
- 8th: Christopher Young | men's national first round | 58.26m (191-2)
