Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
NCAA First Round
Stewart-Barnett Punches Ticket to Eugene on the Final Day of the NCAA East First Round
5/30/2026 7:27:00 PM | Track and Field
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kate Stewart-Barnett used a dominating performance to punch Michigan State track & field's final ticket to Eugene in the 3000m steeplechase on Saturday in Lexington, Kentucky.
Despite a fall on the final water jump, Stewart-Barnett still finished second in her heat with a season-best time of 9:40.41. The time would end up being the second-best overall just behind Sydney Masciarelli from North Carolina who won with a time of 9:39.51.
Stewart-Barnett finished sixth in the NCAA Final last season with a school-record time of 9:33.21.
In the third heat of the 3000m steeplechase, Sophia Lucki ended her Spartan career with a time of 10:19.63, which was good for ninth in her heat. Overall, she finished 28th.
Overall, Michigan State will send four athletes to Eugene. Three men will be making their first trip to the NCAA Finals. On Thursday, Xavier Griffiths qualified in the hammer throw. His throw of 65.99m was second-best in Michigan State history.
In the men's shot put, brothers Colby and Dillon Morlock will be making their first trips to the NCAA Finals. Colby Morlock qualified, finishing 11th with a best throw of 18.77m. Dillon Morlock was just behind him in 12th with a throw of 18.73m.
The NCAA Championships will be held June 10-13 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
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