K-State, Geopfert Agree to Contract Extension Through 2032 Season
Aug 26, 2026 | Track & Field, Cross Country
Geopfert enters his third season overseeing the cross country, track programs
MANHATTAN, Kan. – After three top-10 team finishes during the 2025-26 season under the guidance of K-State Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Travis Geopfert, K-State Athletics and Geopfert have agreed to a new six-year contract through the 2031-32 season. The contract was unanimously approved by the K-State Athletics, Inc., Board of Directors.
"Travis and his staff have elevated our track and field programs to a level of national and international prominence," Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. "K-State is a destination for the world's top track and field athletes and we look to continue the momentum that our staff has generated for a very long time. Travis is an elite recruiter and coach, and more importantly, is a tremendous person who fits the culture that we have at Kansas State."
During the 2026 outdoor season, two men's national champions were crowned, Tah Chikomba and Selva Prabu in the long and triple jumps, the first K-State champions in either event since 1986. It marked the first time in program history two NCAA champions were crowned in one season and was the first time since 2023 that a program swept the men's horizontal jumps titles; Geopfert did so at Arkansas with Carey McLeod and Jaydon Hibbert.
As a team, the men finished in 8th place with 30 points, the best team finish since the 1998 season. Two more Wildcats were crowned First Team All-Americans, Uroy Ryan earned bronze in the long jump and Emil Uhlin finished 5th in the decathlon.
Chikomba was named the USTFCCCA National and Midwest Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year and named to The Bowerman Semifinalist List, the track and field's version of the Heisman award, the first nominee for K-State since Erik Kynard in 2013. Geopfert was named the USTFCCCA Midwest Men's Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year.
"I'm humbled and grateful for the opportunity to continue leading K-State Track and Field / Cross-Country through 2032." Geopfert said. "I want to personally thank Gene Taylor and Kenny Lannou for their belief in me, our staff, and the vision we have for this program. It's an honor to lead a program built by legendary coaches and student-athletes who established tradition and standards we live by today. I'm equally thankful for our current student-athletes and staff and their belief and commitment in what we are doing to consistently put us in contention for Big 12 and NCAA team titles. Our goals are ambitious and clear. We want to win conference championships and consistently be amongst the top programs in the NCAA, and ultimately bring an NCAA team title to Kansas State. Most importantly, my family and I are incredibly thankful to call K-State home. We love this university, this community, and the people who make it special. I'm proud to be a Wildcat and excited about what we can accomplish together in the years ahead."
During the indoor season, Geopfert guided the men's team to 4th place at the NCAA Indoor Championship with 24 points, the highest team finish and points scored in program history. Daniela Wamokpego was crowned the women's triple jump champion while also setting a new school record. The women's team finished in 7th place with 25 points, matching the best team performance since 2000, while recording the second most points in program history, in 2016 the women scored 26 points.
The Wildcats also made noise at both the indoor and outdoor conference championships. During the indoor season the men's team was named Big 12 runners-up with 124 points, the highest team finish in over 20 years and the most points scored since 2016. Five Wildcats were crowned individual champions, as well as the men's 4x400 relay team.
During the outdoor Big 12 Championship Chikomba and Prabhu also won the individual title in their respective events, as well as Vanessa Mercera in the women's 400-meter hurdles. It marked consecutive Wildcats champions in the men's triple jump and women's 400 hurdles after Jhavor Bennett and Safhia Hinds were crowned in 2025.
Geopfert enters his third season in Manhattan, and 25th overall in coaching, after the retirement of long time K-State head coach Cliff Rovelto.
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.
"Travis and his staff have elevated our track and field programs to a level of national and international prominence," Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. "K-State is a destination for the world's top track and field athletes and we look to continue the momentum that our staff has generated for a very long time. Travis is an elite recruiter and coach, and more importantly, is a tremendous person who fits the culture that we have at Kansas State."
During the 2026 outdoor season, two men's national champions were crowned, Tah Chikomba and Selva Prabu in the long and triple jumps, the first K-State champions in either event since 1986. It marked the first time in program history two NCAA champions were crowned in one season and was the first time since 2023 that a program swept the men's horizontal jumps titles; Geopfert did so at Arkansas with Carey McLeod and Jaydon Hibbert.
As a team, the men finished in 8th place with 30 points, the best team finish since the 1998 season. Two more Wildcats were crowned First Team All-Americans, Uroy Ryan earned bronze in the long jump and Emil Uhlin finished 5th in the decathlon.
Chikomba was named the USTFCCCA National and Midwest Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year and named to The Bowerman Semifinalist List, the track and field's version of the Heisman award, the first nominee for K-State since Erik Kynard in 2013. Geopfert was named the USTFCCCA Midwest Men's Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year.
"I'm humbled and grateful for the opportunity to continue leading K-State Track and Field / Cross-Country through 2032." Geopfert said. "I want to personally thank Gene Taylor and Kenny Lannou for their belief in me, our staff, and the vision we have for this program. It's an honor to lead a program built by legendary coaches and student-athletes who established tradition and standards we live by today. I'm equally thankful for our current student-athletes and staff and their belief and commitment in what we are doing to consistently put us in contention for Big 12 and NCAA team titles. Our goals are ambitious and clear. We want to win conference championships and consistently be amongst the top programs in the NCAA, and ultimately bring an NCAA team title to Kansas State. Most importantly, my family and I are incredibly thankful to call K-State home. We love this university, this community, and the people who make it special. I'm proud to be a Wildcat and excited about what we can accomplish together in the years ahead."
During the indoor season, Geopfert guided the men's team to 4th place at the NCAA Indoor Championship with 24 points, the highest team finish and points scored in program history. Daniela Wamokpego was crowned the women's triple jump champion while also setting a new school record. The women's team finished in 7th place with 25 points, matching the best team performance since 2000, while recording the second most points in program history, in 2016 the women scored 26 points.
The Wildcats also made noise at both the indoor and outdoor conference championships. During the indoor season the men's team was named Big 12 runners-up with 124 points, the highest team finish in over 20 years and the most points scored since 2016. Five Wildcats were crowned individual champions, as well as the men's 4x400 relay team.
During the outdoor Big 12 Championship Chikomba and Prabhu also won the individual title in their respective events, as well as Vanessa Mercera in the women's 400-meter hurdles. It marked consecutive Wildcats champions in the men's triple jump and women's 400 hurdles after Jhavor Bennett and Safhia Hinds were crowned in 2025.
Geopfert enters his third season in Manhattan, and 25th overall in coaching, after the retirement of long time K-State head coach Cliff Rovelto.
-- 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.
Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, June 17
Monday, June 15
Thursday, June 11
Wednesday, June 10
