RESULTS 

Topeka, KS– Sara-Lea Cohen advanced to the finals of the 800m as the Mustang women had a successful first day of the 2026 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships for the women's indoor track and field team at Sneed Indoor Facility at Washburn University on Friday.

Cohen ran in the third heat of the 800m and crossed the finish line at 2:18.94, producing the eighth-fastest time of the day to advance to Saturday's final. Sophomore Kaliyah Jones continued her great stretch with a time of 57.07 in the 400 won her heat and placed fourteenth overall.

Sophomore Tanesia Gardiner had great two performances in both the 600m and 800m. Gardiner ran in heat 5 of the 600m; she ran a personal-best time of 1:36.39. She later returned to run the 800m in a time of 2:22.70.

In the women's 60m, Keishwanna Phillip ran a time of 7.82 out of heat two. In the 800m, Gardiner ran a time of 2:22.70. Wrapping up the day in the 1000m was Brooke Sheppard, who clocked a time of 3:01.76.

The last day of competition at the NJCAA National Championships is set for Saturday. Sheppard, Cohen, Gardiner and Jones will compete in the final of the 4x400m relay. Cohen will compete in the final of the 800m.