Rachel Neaves and Burklie Burton qualify for NCAA Championships in Hammer Throw on second day of NCAA West First Round

Rachel Neaves and Burklie Burton qualify for NCAA Championships in Hammer Throw on second day of NCAA West First Round

May 29, 2026 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Oklahoma State women's outdoor track & field kicked off its efforts at the NCAA West First Round on Thursday in Fayetteville, Ark., headlined by a Cowgirl duo advancing to the NCAA Championships and five more progressing to the quarterfinals of their respective events.

Fresh off her Big 12 title just two weeks ago, Burklie Burton continued her impressive true freshman campaign as she advanced to the NCAA Championships in the Hammer Throw on her final attempt with a mark of 63.52 meters, good enough for 12^th place on the day. Joining Burton as a first time NCAA qualifier is teammate Rachel Neaves, who also punched her ticket to NCAAs for the first time in her career, placing 11^th overall with her throw of 63.64 meters.

Over on the track, a quartet of Cowgirls advanced to Saturday's quarterfinal round in the 800 Meters. True freshman Brooke Beck (2:03.72) and senior Kaylie Politza (2:04.18) each advanced as two of the six fastest athletes outside of the automatic qualifying positions. Fellow freshman Elyse Wilmes (2:05.37, 2nd) and senior Jinah Mickens-Malik (2:04.64, 3rd) each advanced after placing in the top three in their respective heats.

In the Cowgirls' final event of the night, true freshman Elise Eikeland crossed the line with a personal best time of 58.06 in the women's 400 Meter Hurdles. Eikeland grabbed the final non-automatic advance spot by one thousandth of a second and finished 23^rd overall on the night.

The Cowboys are back action tomorrow for the third day of the NCAA West First Round, starting at 1 p.m. CT with Nate Collier in the men's Discus.

The entirety of the NCAA West First Round is streamed live on ESPN+, with live results found here.

For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.

Women's Individual Results
Hammer Throw – First Round
11. Rachel Neaves – 63.64 m/208'9
12. Burklie Burton – 63.52 m/208'5
26. Rylee Jenkins – 59.19 m/194'2
100 Meter Hurdles – First Round
46. Katie Chapman – 14.03
Long Jump – First Round
44. Zeddy Chongwo – 5.65 m/18'6.50"
1,500 Meters – First Round
30. Mandeep Sangha – 4:21.63
46. Aubrey O'Connell – 4:37.80
Pole Vault – First Round
T41. Lauren Smith – 3.93 m/12'10.75"
800 Meters – First Round
9. Brooke Beck – 2:03.72 Q
15. Kaylie Politza – 2:04.18 Q
17. Jinah Mickens-Malik – 2:04.64 Q
24. Elyse Wilmes – 2:05.37 Q
31. Kadence Huck – 2:05.86
35. Paige Stuart – 2:07.52
400 Meter Hurdles – First Round
23. Elise Eikeland – 58.06 (No. 3 in program history) Q

BOLD = Qualified for NCAA Championships
Q = Qualified for quarterfinals