Chikomba Sets Big 12 Record Winning Long Jump Title on Day Two
May 16, 2026 | Track & Field
The junior also broke the facility and his own school record
TUCSON, Ariz. – K-State junior Tah Chikomba took home the long jump crown on day two of the Big 12 Championship on Friday (May 15) while also breaking multiple records; the Big 12 record, facility record at Drachman Stadium and his own school record. After eight events the men's team sits in 1st place with 46 points, the women with 11 points in 11th place.
During his fourth attempt Chikomba leaped to 8.27m (27' 1.75"), three-quarters of an inch farther than his personal best and school record of 8.25m set at the Oregon Team Invitational on April 18. He surpasses the conference record of 8.19m set in 2011 by Texas' Marquise Goodwin and the facility record of 8.13m from 1995.
"Men scored a ton of points, 19 points. Croix stepped up, the freshman, Uroy had the series of his life, and then Tah Chikomba, that guy went out and did something special," head coach Travis Geopfert said. "27' 2" in the long jump, a new school record, a new Big 12 meet record, new facility record, just unbelievable series for him. Proud of him, proud of his efforts, it was a fantastic job."
Two more Wildcats landed on the men's long jump podium, sophomore Uroy Ryan with a bronze medal distance of 7.94m (26' 0.75"), a personal best by four inches and now the no. 6 best jump in K-State history, while freshman Croix DaCunha finished 7th at 7.42m (24' 4.25").
In the women's long jump senior Aaliyah Lindsay finished runner-up with a leap of 6.42m (21' 0.75"), a personal best by three inches and now tied for the no. 6 best jump in K-State outdoor records. Freshman Chisom Nwafor also reached the podium in the women's event, finishing 8th at 6.20m (20' 4.25").
"And then on the women's side, Aaliyah Lindsay had a huge personal best, runner-up finish, one of the best long jump competitions I've seen in a long time," Geopfert added. "Chizzy [Chisom] scoring points, jumped really well, great series, proud of her, proud of all these athletes."
The men's decathlon and women's heptathlon wrapped up the final events on Friday with two Cats giving podium performances. Freshman Dorian Charles claimed the runner-up spot with a new personal best score of 7,748 points, a new best by 28 points. During the day he finished top-3 in three of the five events, he won the javelin with a throw of 64.91m (212' 11"), finished 2nd in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.11 seconds and placed 3rd in the discus throw at 43.03m (141' 2").
Freshman Lalie Pouzancre-Hoyer led the Cats in the heptathlon with a 7th place finish of 5,581 points, an improvement of 11 points. She finished top-5 in two of the last three events, runner-up in the long jump with a distance of 6.07m (19' 11") and 4th place in the 800 Meters with a time of 2:19.40.
Two Wildcats ran qualifying times in the 400-meter preliminary race, advancing to the finals on Saturday. Junior Tavon Underwood won the men's race in 45.31 seconds, a new personal best and a jump to no. 4 in the K-State outdoor records. Freshman Desirae Riehle won her heat and finished 8th in the women's event in 52.52 seconds, a personal best and an improvement to no. 8 in the K-State all-time top-10.
In the women's pole vault, freshman Taegan Olson cleared a new personal best by four inches at 4.02m (13' 2.25"), the no. 5 best height in K-State outdoor history, in a tie for 11th place.
The conference championship will conclude on Saturday (May 16) starting at 5 p.m., CT in the field events before the first event on the track starts at 7:30 p.m. CT.
FROM THE TRACK
Head Coach Travis Geopfert
On the combined events athletes with personal bests throughout the day…
"Started off with the multis today and almost ended with the multis, it was a long day. Lalie had a personal best and Dorian had a personal best for runner-up. I'm proud of both of them, really proud of Dorian battling all the way through the great 1500 [meters] and eight big points runner-up decathlon finish it was absolutely awesome."
On two more sprinters reaching the finals on Saturday…
"The 400, I mean, Desirae Riehle, true freshman, [52.5] PB making this Big 12 final, unbelievable. And Tavon Underwood, fastest qualifying time coming into his own, ran 45.3, proud of that man, you know, just a great job by both of those sprinters."
Big 12 Championship
Drachman Stadium
Tucson, Ariz.
Women's Heptathlon - Lalie Pouzancre-Hoyer
7. Overall, 5,581 points (PR)
2. Long Jump, 6.07m (19' 11")(1.7)
14. Javelin, 32.91m (107' 11")
4. 800 Meters, 2:19.40
8. 100 Meter Hurdles, 13.88 (1.3) (PR)
4. High Jump, 1.76m (5' 9.25") (PR)
22. Shot Put, 9.33m (30' 7.5")
8. 200 Meters, 24.46 (2.3)
Women's Heptathlon- Zoey Brinker
9. Overall, 5,395 points
10. Long Jump, 5.72m (18' 9.25")(1.5)
20. Javelin, 27.76m (91' 1")
6. 800 Meters, 2:20.58
19. 100 Meter Hurdles, 14.57 (0.7)
1. High Jump, 1.82m (5' 11.5")
17. Shot Put, 10.24m (33' 7.25")
9. 200 Meters, 24.50 (2.6)
Women's Heptathlon - Kayla Goodwin
12. Overall, 5,292 points
11. Long Jump, 5.66m (18' 7")(1.2)
3. Javelin, 40.08m (131' 6")
15. 800 Meters, 2:26.39
21. 100 Meter Hurdles, 14.69 (2.2)
12. High Jump, 1.64m (5' 4.5")
8. Shot Put, 11.57m (37' 11.5")
21. 200 Meters, 25.54 (1.8)
Men's Decathlon- Dorian Charles
2. Overall, 7,748 points (PR)
2. 110 Meter Hurdles, 14.11 (2.0)
3. Discus Throw, 43.03m (141' 2")
8. Pole Vault, 4.43m (14' 6.25")
1. Javelin, 64.91m (212' 11")
6. 1,500 Meters, 4:49.55 (PR)
11. 100 Meters, 11.13 (-1.5)
10. Long Jump 6.86m (22' 6.25")(2.0)
3. Shot Put, 13.46m (44' 2")
10. High Jump, 1.91m (6' 3.25")
4. 400 Meters, 49.08
Men's Decathlon- Mattix DaCunha
10. Overall, 7,199 points (PR)
3. 110 Meter Hurdles, 14.15 (2.0)
11. Discus Throw, 37.54m (123' 2") (PR)
12. Pole Vault, 3.83m (12' 6.75")
10. Javelin, 45.82m (150' 4")
5. 1,500 Meters, 4:48.64 (PR)
3. 100 Meters, 10.91 (-1.5)
6. Long Jump, 7.13m (23' 4.75")(0.8)
13. Shot Put, 11.88m (38' 11.75")
11. High Jump, 1.91m (6' 3.25")
5. 400 Meters, 49.09
Men's Decathlon- Chase McMullen
11. Overall, 7,137 points
11. 110 Meter Hurdles, 15.37 (0.0)
12. Discus Throw, 34.18m (112' 2")
7. Pole Vault, 4.53m (14' 10.25")
13. Javelin, 35.40m (116' 2")
1. 1,500 Meters, 4:19.40
10. 100 Meters, 11.13 (-0.2)
13. Long Jump, 6.71m (22' 0.25")(2.5)
15. Shot Put, 11.13m (36' 6.25")
5. High Jump, 1.97m (6' 5.5")
1. 400 Meters, 47.86
Men's Long Jump
1. Tah Chikomba, 8.27m (27' 1.75")(1.9) (PR)**
3. Uroy Ryan, 7.94m (26' 0.75")(1.0) (PR)
7. Croix DaCunha, 7.42m (24' 4.25")(1.2)
18. Jhavor Bennett, 6.96m (22' 10")(0.7)
Men's 800 Meters (Prelims)
27. Dylan Plath, 1:51.95
29. Julian Avila, 1:53.46
30. Jackson Steger, 1:53.99
31. Vance Krudwig, 1:54.42
Women's 800 Meters (Prelims)
20. Anna Pozdeeva, 2:08.09
29. Angi Pondler, 2:11.42
Men's Shot Put
16. Gary Moore Jr., 16.08m (52' 9.25")
18. Emil Uhlin, 13.15m (43' 1.75")
Men's 400 Meters (Prelims)
1. Tavon Underwood, 45.31 (PR)*
15. Bongumusa Nkosi, 46.29
18. Nen Matlock, 46.38
23. Heath Grant, 46.71
Women's 400 Meters (Prelims)
8. Desirae Riehle, 52.52 (PR)*
16. Anastasiia Kretova, 53.78
21. Ariana Jackson, 54.54
29. Delaney Brinker, 55.15
Men's 100 Meters (Prelims)
11. Tah Chikomba, 10.42 (0.1)
Women's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase
14. Cecilia Fisher, 10:44.26
Women's Pole Vault
T11. Taegan Olson, 4.02m (13' 2.25") (PR)
Claire Bybee, NH
Women's Long Jump
2. Aaliyah Lindsay, 6.42m (21' 0.75")(0.0) (PR)
8. Chisom Nwafor, 6.20m (20' 4.25")(0.4)
17. Tesia Thomas, 5.88m (19' 3.5")(0.6)
18. Maud Zeffou-Poaty, 5.80m (19' 0.5")(0.0)
Women's 100 Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
Jourdin Edwards, FS
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
During his fourth attempt Chikomba leaped to 8.27m (27' 1.75"), three-quarters of an inch farther than his personal best and school record of 8.25m set at the Oregon Team Invitational on April 18. He surpasses the conference record of 8.19m set in 2011 by Texas' Marquise Goodwin and the facility record of 8.13m from 1995.
"Men scored a ton of points, 19 points. Croix stepped up, the freshman, Uroy had the series of his life, and then Tah Chikomba, that guy went out and did something special," head coach Travis Geopfert said. "27' 2" in the long jump, a new school record, a new Big 12 meet record, new facility record, just unbelievable series for him. Proud of him, proud of his efforts, it was a fantastic job."
Two more Wildcats landed on the men's long jump podium, sophomore Uroy Ryan with a bronze medal distance of 7.94m (26' 0.75"), a personal best by four inches and now the no. 6 best jump in K-State history, while freshman Croix DaCunha finished 7th at 7.42m (24' 4.25").
In the women's long jump senior Aaliyah Lindsay finished runner-up with a leap of 6.42m (21' 0.75"), a personal best by three inches and now tied for the no. 6 best jump in K-State outdoor records. Freshman Chisom Nwafor also reached the podium in the women's event, finishing 8th at 6.20m (20' 4.25").
"And then on the women's side, Aaliyah Lindsay had a huge personal best, runner-up finish, one of the best long jump competitions I've seen in a long time," Geopfert added. "Chizzy [Chisom] scoring points, jumped really well, great series, proud of her, proud of all these athletes."
The men's decathlon and women's heptathlon wrapped up the final events on Friday with two Cats giving podium performances. Freshman Dorian Charles claimed the runner-up spot with a new personal best score of 7,748 points, a new best by 28 points. During the day he finished top-3 in three of the five events, he won the javelin with a throw of 64.91m (212' 11"), finished 2nd in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.11 seconds and placed 3rd in the discus throw at 43.03m (141' 2").
Freshman Lalie Pouzancre-Hoyer led the Cats in the heptathlon with a 7th place finish of 5,581 points, an improvement of 11 points. She finished top-5 in two of the last three events, runner-up in the long jump with a distance of 6.07m (19' 11") and 4th place in the 800 Meters with a time of 2:19.40.
Two Wildcats ran qualifying times in the 400-meter preliminary race, advancing to the finals on Saturday. Junior Tavon Underwood won the men's race in 45.31 seconds, a new personal best and a jump to no. 4 in the K-State outdoor records. Freshman Desirae Riehle won her heat and finished 8th in the women's event in 52.52 seconds, a personal best and an improvement to no. 8 in the K-State all-time top-10.
In the women's pole vault, freshman Taegan Olson cleared a new personal best by four inches at 4.02m (13' 2.25"), the no. 5 best height in K-State outdoor history, in a tie for 11th place.
The conference championship will conclude on Saturday (May 16) starting at 5 p.m., CT in the field events before the first event on the track starts at 7:30 p.m. CT.
FROM THE TRACK
Head Coach Travis Geopfert
On the combined events athletes with personal bests throughout the day…
"Started off with the multis today and almost ended with the multis, it was a long day. Lalie had a personal best and Dorian had a personal best for runner-up. I'm proud of both of them, really proud of Dorian battling all the way through the great 1500 [meters] and eight big points runner-up decathlon finish it was absolutely awesome."
On two more sprinters reaching the finals on Saturday…
"The 400, I mean, Desirae Riehle, true freshman, [52.5] PB making this Big 12 final, unbelievable. And Tavon Underwood, fastest qualifying time coming into his own, ran 45.3, proud of that man, you know, just a great job by both of those sprinters."
Big 12 Championship
Drachman Stadium
Tucson, Ariz.
Women's Heptathlon - Lalie Pouzancre-Hoyer
7. Overall, 5,581 points (PR)
2. Long Jump, 6.07m (19' 11")(1.7)
14. Javelin, 32.91m (107' 11")
4. 800 Meters, 2:19.40
8. 100 Meter Hurdles, 13.88 (1.3) (PR)
4. High Jump, 1.76m (5' 9.25") (PR)
22. Shot Put, 9.33m (30' 7.5")
8. 200 Meters, 24.46 (2.3)
Women's Heptathlon- Zoey Brinker
9. Overall, 5,395 points
10. Long Jump, 5.72m (18' 9.25")(1.5)
20. Javelin, 27.76m (91' 1")
6. 800 Meters, 2:20.58
19. 100 Meter Hurdles, 14.57 (0.7)
1. High Jump, 1.82m (5' 11.5")
17. Shot Put, 10.24m (33' 7.25")
9. 200 Meters, 24.50 (2.6)
Women's Heptathlon - Kayla Goodwin
12. Overall, 5,292 points
11. Long Jump, 5.66m (18' 7")(1.2)
3. Javelin, 40.08m (131' 6")
15. 800 Meters, 2:26.39
21. 100 Meter Hurdles, 14.69 (2.2)
12. High Jump, 1.64m (5' 4.5")
8. Shot Put, 11.57m (37' 11.5")
21. 200 Meters, 25.54 (1.8)
Men's Decathlon- Dorian Charles
2. Overall, 7,748 points (PR)
2. 110 Meter Hurdles, 14.11 (2.0)
3. Discus Throw, 43.03m (141' 2")
8. Pole Vault, 4.43m (14' 6.25")
1. Javelin, 64.91m (212' 11")
6. 1,500 Meters, 4:49.55 (PR)
11. 100 Meters, 11.13 (-1.5)
10. Long Jump 6.86m (22' 6.25")(2.0)
3. Shot Put, 13.46m (44' 2")
10. High Jump, 1.91m (6' 3.25")
4. 400 Meters, 49.08
Men's Decathlon- Mattix DaCunha
10. Overall, 7,199 points (PR)
3. 110 Meter Hurdles, 14.15 (2.0)
11. Discus Throw, 37.54m (123' 2") (PR)
12. Pole Vault, 3.83m (12' 6.75")
10. Javelin, 45.82m (150' 4")
5. 1,500 Meters, 4:48.64 (PR)
3. 100 Meters, 10.91 (-1.5)
6. Long Jump, 7.13m (23' 4.75")(0.8)
13. Shot Put, 11.88m (38' 11.75")
11. High Jump, 1.91m (6' 3.25")
5. 400 Meters, 49.09
Men's Decathlon- Chase McMullen
11. Overall, 7,137 points
11. 110 Meter Hurdles, 15.37 (0.0)
12. Discus Throw, 34.18m (112' 2")
7. Pole Vault, 4.53m (14' 10.25")
13. Javelin, 35.40m (116' 2")
1. 1,500 Meters, 4:19.40
10. 100 Meters, 11.13 (-0.2)
13. Long Jump, 6.71m (22' 0.25")(2.5)
15. Shot Put, 11.13m (36' 6.25")
5. High Jump, 1.97m (6' 5.5")
1. 400 Meters, 47.86
Men's Long Jump
1. Tah Chikomba, 8.27m (27' 1.75")(1.9) (PR)**
3. Uroy Ryan, 7.94m (26' 0.75")(1.0) (PR)
7. Croix DaCunha, 7.42m (24' 4.25")(1.2)
18. Jhavor Bennett, 6.96m (22' 10")(0.7)
Men's 800 Meters (Prelims)
27. Dylan Plath, 1:51.95
29. Julian Avila, 1:53.46
30. Jackson Steger, 1:53.99
31. Vance Krudwig, 1:54.42
Women's 800 Meters (Prelims)
20. Anna Pozdeeva, 2:08.09
29. Angi Pondler, 2:11.42
Men's Shot Put
16. Gary Moore Jr., 16.08m (52' 9.25")
18. Emil Uhlin, 13.15m (43' 1.75")
Men's 400 Meters (Prelims)
1. Tavon Underwood, 45.31 (PR)*
15. Bongumusa Nkosi, 46.29
18. Nen Matlock, 46.38
23. Heath Grant, 46.71
Women's 400 Meters (Prelims)
8. Desirae Riehle, 52.52 (PR)*
16. Anastasiia Kretova, 53.78
21. Ariana Jackson, 54.54
29. Delaney Brinker, 55.15
Men's 100 Meters (Prelims)
11. Tah Chikomba, 10.42 (0.1)
Women's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase
14. Cecilia Fisher, 10:44.26
Women's Pole Vault
T11. Taegan Olson, 4.02m (13' 2.25") (PR)
Claire Bybee, NH
Women's Long Jump
2. Aaliyah Lindsay, 6.42m (21' 0.75")(0.0) (PR)
8. Chisom Nwafor, 6.20m (20' 4.25")(0.4)
17. Tesia Thomas, 5.88m (19' 3.5")(0.6)
18. Maud Zeffou-Poaty, 5.80m (19' 0.5")(0.0)
Women's 100 Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
Jourdin Edwards, FS
-- k-statesports.com --
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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