Lindsay Punches Ticket to NCAA Championship in Long Jump
May 28, 2026 | Track & Field
A total of 5 Wildcats has qualified for the NCAA Championship on June 10-13
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Senior Aaliyah Lindsay was the first K-State woman to punch her Championship ticket during the NCAA West Preliminary on Thursday (May 28) in the second day of events at John McDonnell Field. A total of five Wildcats has qualified for the NCAA Championship set for June 10-13 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Lindsay finished 4th in the long jump with another new personal best distance by half a foot at 6.55m (21' 6"). During the Big 12 Championship on May 15 she recorded a new best at 6.42m but is now tied for the no. 2 best jump in the K-State outdoor records. This will be the first Championship for Lindsay who previously finished 25th in this meet in 2024. Alyssa Jones from Stanford won the long jump in the West at 7.09m.
Lindsay will also compete in the triple jump on Saturday (May 30), the only K-State woman this season to qualify for two events in the NCAA first rounds, the second Wildcat in consecutive years as Shalom Olotu also competed in the same events in 2025.
On the track, seniors Vanessa Mercera and Jourdin Edwards ran qualifying times in the 400-meter hurdles first round to advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday. Mercera finished 11th in 56.92 seconds while Edwards landed in 20th place in 57.61 seconds. The quarterfinal race will take place at 7:25 p.m. CT, on Saturday.
Five other women competed on Thursday, including three true freshmen in their first NCAA postseason. Freshmen Reese Kasper and Reese Brownlee both ran in the 400-meter hurdles as well, Kasper finishing 36th in 59.15 seconds, Brownlee in 41st place in 59.93 seconds. Also a sprinter, freshman Desirae Riehle was just short of the top-24 cut off in the 400 meters first round finishing 29th in 52.92 seconds.
Two more Cats competed in the long jump, freshman Chisom Nwafor finished 22nd with a jump of 6.23m (20' 5.25"), junior Maud Zeffou-Poaty recorded a distance an inch shy in 25th place at 6.20m (20' 4.25").
The men's last day of competition will wrap up on Friday (May 29) the men's discus starting the day at 1 p.m. CT, with Ricardo Hayles and Gary Moore Jr. Seven more Wildcats will compete that afternoon, along with the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.
NCAA West Preliminary
John McDonnell Field
Fayetteville, Ark.
Women's Long Jump
4. Aaliyah Lindsay, 6.55m (21' 6")(1.1) (PR)*
22. Chisom Nwafor, 6.23m (20' 5.25")(-0.5)
25. Maud Zeffou-Poaty, 6.20m (20' 4.25")(0.1)
Women's 400 Meters (First Round)
29. Desirae Riehle, 52.92
Women's 400-Meter Hurdles (First Round)
11. Vanessa Mercera, 56.92 (Q)
20. Jourdin Edwards, 57.61 (Q)
36. Reese Kasper, 59.15
41. Reese Brownlee, 59.93
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.
Lindsay finished 4th in the long jump with another new personal best distance by half a foot at 6.55m (21' 6"). During the Big 12 Championship on May 15 she recorded a new best at 6.42m but is now tied for the no. 2 best jump in the K-State outdoor records. This will be the first Championship for Lindsay who previously finished 25th in this meet in 2024. Alyssa Jones from Stanford won the long jump in the West at 7.09m.
Lindsay will also compete in the triple jump on Saturday (May 30), the only K-State woman this season to qualify for two events in the NCAA first rounds, the second Wildcat in consecutive years as Shalom Olotu also competed in the same events in 2025.
On the track, seniors Vanessa Mercera and Jourdin Edwards ran qualifying times in the 400-meter hurdles first round to advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday. Mercera finished 11th in 56.92 seconds while Edwards landed in 20th place in 57.61 seconds. The quarterfinal race will take place at 7:25 p.m. CT, on Saturday.
Five other women competed on Thursday, including three true freshmen in their first NCAA postseason. Freshmen Reese Kasper and Reese Brownlee both ran in the 400-meter hurdles as well, Kasper finishing 36th in 59.15 seconds, Brownlee in 41st place in 59.93 seconds. Also a sprinter, freshman Desirae Riehle was just short of the top-24 cut off in the 400 meters first round finishing 29th in 52.92 seconds.
Two more Cats competed in the long jump, freshman Chisom Nwafor finished 22nd with a jump of 6.23m (20' 5.25"), junior Maud Zeffou-Poaty recorded a distance an inch shy in 25th place at 6.20m (20' 4.25").
The men's last day of competition will wrap up on Friday (May 29) the men's discus starting the day at 1 p.m. CT, with Ricardo Hayles and Gary Moore Jr. Seven more Wildcats will compete that afternoon, along with the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.
NCAA West Preliminary
John McDonnell Field
Fayetteville, Ark.
Women's Long Jump
4. Aaliyah Lindsay, 6.55m (21' 6")(1.1) (PR)*
22. Chisom Nwafor, 6.23m (20' 5.25")(-0.5)
25. Maud Zeffou-Poaty, 6.20m (20' 4.25")(0.1)
Women's 400 Meters (First Round)
29. Desirae Riehle, 52.92
Women's 400-Meter Hurdles (First Round)
11. Vanessa Mercera, 56.92 (Q)
20. Jourdin Edwards, 57.61 (Q)
36. Reese Kasper, 59.15
41. Reese Brownlee, 59.93
-- 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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