Bearkats punch ticket to NCAA Championships
5/30/2026 9:50:00 PM | Track & Field
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sam Houston concluded competition at the NCAA West First Round at John McDonnell Field on Saturday, highlighted by the men's 4x100-meter relay team earning a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
The quartet of Xzamion Parker, Javain Johnson, Omarion Ferguson and Tyriq Brunn finished 12th in the 4x100-meter relay quarterfinals with a time of 39.32, securing one of the final qualifying positions for nationals. Sam Houston edged Texas A&M by just 0.02 seconds to advance while also finishing ahead of Kansas City, Baylor, Northern Iowa, Grand Canyon, Wichita State, Utah Valley, Utah State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, East Texas A&M and Arizona State.
In the men's 4x400-meter relay, Joshua Sims-Waddy, Parker, Ferguson and Caleb Anthony placed 18th overall with a time of 3:07.05. The Bearkats finished ahead of North Texas and were narrowly behind Arizona State, Colorado State and Illinois State.
Ferguson also competed individually in the men's 200 meters, placing 25th with a time of 20.89. Parker advanced to the quarterfinal round of the men's 100 meters after running 10.27 in the first round before placing 22nd overall with a time of 10.35 in the quarterfinals.
On the women's side, Nia Thompson earned a 15th-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 6.30 meters.
With their performance in Fayetteville, the men's 4x100-meter relay team qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Parker, Johnson, Ferguson and Brunn will represent Sam Houston at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, June 10-13, competing against the nation's top collegiate programs.
