Buffs Returners Highlight Exciting Mile and Distance Races at Big 12 Championships

Friday, February 27

Lubbock, Texas

Colorado

Big 12 Indoor Championships

Buffs Returners Highlight Exciting Mile and Distance Races at Big 12 Championships

February 25, 2026 | Track and Field

By: Lauren Cawley, Communications Associate

BOULDER – The Colorado track and field team travels to Lubbock, Texas, for the 2026 Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Championship, hosted by the Texas Tech Raiders, on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28.

MEET COVERAGE:

Location: Sports Performance Center (Lubbock, Texas)
Live Results & Schedule: cubuffs.com/tracklive
Meet Information: cubuffs.com/meetinfo
Watch: Friday ESPN+ & Saturday ESPN+

Looking back at last year's Big 12 Championships, Dean Casey placed sixth in the men's 5000 meters, while Kole Mathison also scored with an eighth-place finish in the 3000 meters. The men's and women's distance medley relay teams both placed third, and Abbey Nechanicky led the women with a sixth-place finish in the 5000 meters. With these key returners back in 2026, Buffs fans can look forward to strong performances in the distance events and relays.

Adding to the excitement this weekend, Colorado features a powerhouse group in the men's mile. Isaiah Givens has held the No. 1 spot on the NCAA mile leaderboard for over a month with his 3:51.73@ from the Potts Invitational, joined by Justine Kipkoech (No. 12, 3:53.05@), Kole Mathison (No. 12, 3:54.87@) and TJ Hansen (No. 29, 3:55.63@). All four will race the mile this weekend, promising an electrifying showdown in Lubbock.

MEN'S ENTRIES

60m: Ernest Campbell
400m: Joran Ball
800m: Ty Cook
1000m: Drew Costelow, Grady Rauba
Mile: Isaiah Givens, TJ Hansen, Justine Kipkoech, Kole Mathison
3000m: Tanner Newkirk, Grady Rauba
5000m: Dean Casey, Lukas Haug, Jake Liebert, James Overberg
60m hurdles: Antonio Votour
4x400m relay: Teagan Malcom, Joran Ball, Ty Cook, Danny Tragarz
Distance Medley Relay: TJ Hansen, Danny Tragarz, Drew Costelow, Kole Mathison

WOMEN'S ENTRIES

600y: Avery Pearson
3000m: Jessie Secor, Ella Hagen, Holly Barker, Linda Weigang
5000m: Abbey Nechanicky, Juliette Forstrom
Distance Medley Relay: Avery Pearson, Abby Miller, Riley Burkey, Jessie Secor
Weight throw: Amanda Opp

LAST TIME OUT: The Buffs delivered a record-breaking performance at the Colorado Last Chance meet, highlighted by Avery Pearson's historic run in the 800 meters. Pearson clocked an altitude-adjusted 1:59.98 (2:00.76 raw) to shatter the previous school record of 2:02.54 set in 2021, becoming the first woman in program history to break two minutes at altitude. Her converted mark ranks No. 7 in the NCAA this season.

On the men's side, the distance medley relay quartet of Justine Kipkoech, Danny Tragarz, Drew Costelow and Isaiah Givens ran 9:19.00 (9:28.63 raw) to break the program record of 9:38.14 set last season. The men currently sit 12th nationally — the cut-off for the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships — so as long as that time holds up throughout this weekend, they'll be through.

Colorado also picked up individual wins on the track. Ernest Campbell captured the 60-meter dash in 6.80, while Kole Mathison won the mile in 4:07.85. Freshman Linda Weigang added a runner-up finish in the women's mile, clocking a personal-best 5:05.92.

With multiple program records and national-caliber marks, the Buffs carry strong momentum into the Big 12 Championships.

For more information on the Colorado track and field team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsTrack.