Track And Field Opens Indoor Home Schedule With Thane Baker Invitational

1 jam yang lalu

As nan almanac turns to 2026, Kansas State way and section is group to motorboat an indoor play built astir preparation, performance, and a beardown home-track identity.

Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Travis Geopfert has laid retired a strategical roadmap. Especially nan 1 that emphasizes competing successful Manhattan. And that scheme officially originates today, January 16, astatine nan Cliff Rovelto Indoor Track pinch nan Thane Baker Invitational.

Elite Competition Comes to Kansas State Manhattan

The Thane Baker Invitational opens nan Wildcats’ indoor location schedule and is nan first of 4 meets Kansas State will big this season. Admission is free and unfastened to nan public, giving fans an up-close look.

— K-State T&F/XC (@KStateTFXC) January 16, 2026

Although Kansas State is nan host, nan invitational section reflects national-level quality. Big Ten champion Oregon headlines a beardown lineup. That besides includes Oklahoma State, BYU connected nan women’s side, Kansas, Wichita State, Tulsa, and Northern Iowa.

Bringing this caliber of title to Manhattan early successful nan play is intentional. It allows nan Wildcats to trial themselves against proven programs. Meanwhile, laying nan instauration for Big 12 and NCAA postseason success.

Kansas State’s 2026 indoor roster features a operation of established veterans and rising talent. Seniors and schoolhouse grounds holders Gary Moore Jr. and Monique Hardy header nan returning group. And they will compete successful nan men’s and women’s weight propulsion events, areas wherever K-State has consistently classed among nan nation’s best.

The meet besides marks nan debut of cardinal transfers Daniela Wamokpego and Maud Zeffou-Poaty. And some Iowa inferior transfers will compete successful nan women’s triple jump and agelong jump.

Youth will besides beryllium connected show passim nan meet. Several freshmen are scheduled to make their collegiate debut. This will see Reese Kasper successful nan women’s 400 meters, Desirae Riehle successful nan women’s 600 yards, Jack Guthridge successful nan men’s 200 meters, and Heath Grant successful nan men’s 600 yards. It will besides springiness fans an early look astatine nan adjacent activity of Wildcat talent.

Meet Schedule and High-Performance Focus

The Thane Baker Invitational originates astatine 1:30 p.m. pinch nan men’s weight throw. Track events commencement astatine 2:05 p.m. pinch nan women’s 60-meter hurdles prelims. The evening convention originates astatine 6:45 p.m. and features six invitational races crossed nan 800 meters, mile, and 3,000 meters.

Kansas State will again utilize nan Wavelight Pacing System during nan last way events successful nan 800 meters, mile, and 3,000 meters.

Friday’s meet is nan opening measurement successful a cautiously planned march toward nan postseason. Kansas State will big nan DeLoss Dodds Invitational connected January 30 and 31 arsenic portion of nan 2026 World Athletics Indoor Tour. This features Olympic-level competitors crossed six section events. The Wildcats past recreation to nan Tyson Invitational successful Fayetteville connected February 13 and 14 earlier returning location for nan Steve Miller Invitational connected February 20.

The Big 12 Indoor Championships travel connected February 27 and 28 successful Lubbock, Texas, pinch nan NCAA Indoor Championships group for March 13 and 14 successful Fayetteville.