Three athletes from the University of Idaho have qualified for the 2026 NCAA Track and Field West First Round in Fayetteville, Arkansas, beginning Wednesday, May 27. The top twelve finishers in each regional event will move on to compete at the NCAA National Championship scheduled for June in Eugene, Oregon.
The announcement highlights a significant achievement for these athletes as they advance to a major stage of collegiate competition. Their performances throughout the season have positioned them among the best in their events.
“Super excited to announce our regional qualifiers!” Director of Track and Field said following the announcement Thursday. “All of these athletes have not only had a great season but they are trending in the right direction as we head to the NCAA regionals. It will be fun to see what they can accomplish in this next phase of the championship season.”
Sturgis secured his spot with a throw measuring 73.21 meters (240 feet, 2 inches) at April’s Whitworth Peace Meet. He earned all-conference honors by finishing second at the Big Sky Championship and is making his third consecutive regional appearance after qualifying twice previously while competing for Washington State. Sturgis is scheduled to compete at noon on Wednesday, May 27.
Paoli earned her place in the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase after winning last weekend’s Big Sky championship with a school record time of 9:50.89. The junior from Alzenau, Germany enters her first regionals holding both the tenth fastest time nationally and fourth fastest time in her region this year; she will race at 3:40 p.m., Saturday, May 30.
Kuntz will represent Idaho Vandals in both premier sprint events—the men’s 100 meters with a qualifying mark of 10.18 seconds and the men’s 200 meters with a season-best time of 20.58 seconds. Last week he collected two conference medals—one from each event—and earlier set a new Big Sky Conference indoor record for sixty meters en route to claiming that title as well. Kuntz is set to run Friday, May 29; his first event begins at 4:35 p.m., followed by his second race at approximately 5:50 p.m.
