WICHITA – Wichita State opens its 2026 indoor track and field campaign with a small group competing at the Friends First Chance Qualifier on Saturday, Jan. 10 in the Heskett Center.
 
Friends is hosting the Friends First Chance Qualifier inside Wichita State's home indoor facility with field events beginning at 9:30 a.m., prelims for the 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles starting at 11 a.m. and running event finals beginning at 3:30 p.m. with a running schedule. Entry to the meet is free.
 
Thirty-six Wichita State athletes are entered in the meet, and 13 enter as the No. 1 seed in their event.
 
Jason Parrish brings in the fastest entry time in the 60 meters, while Josh Parrish holds the fastest 60-meter hurdles entry time. Sadie Millard (400m), Trace Spires (600m), Ma'Liyah Anderson (600m), Faith Ekart (800m), and Emily See (1,000m) also hold the best entry time in the running events.
 
Freshman Lilly Charest's personal-best of 3.88m/12'9" ranks her first in the pole vault competition for her collegiate debut. Kelvin Acheampong and Sonya Haylor both enter the triple jump with the best marks, Darius Graham enters as the top seed in the long jump, and Anna Bundy and Travon Williams are both favored to win the high jump.