Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Stewart-Barnett Finishes Fifth in 3000m Steeplechase at NCAA Championships
6/13/2026 11:25:00 PM | Track and Field
EUGENE, Ore. – On the final day of action at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Kate Stewart-Barnett earned first-team All-American accolades by finishing fifth in the 3000m steeplechase at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday.
Stewart-Barnett clocked a season-best time of 9:36.63. She bettered her finish from last season when Stewart-Barnett was sixth with a school-record time of 9:33.21. This is the second-straight first-team All-American honor for Stewart-Barnett.
"Kate's race today was just incredibly focused and poised," Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Lisa Breznau said. "It was an incredible field. Every year the field just seems to get stronger. The depth gets stronger and stronger, so to come out and stay within herself. I thought she did a really great job of capitalizing on the day."
The fifth-place finish by Stewart-Barnett was the best by a Spartan woman since Leah O'Connor finished third in 2015.
"I was really proud of my race today. I tried to put myself in it from the gun," Stewart-Barnett said. "When the break happened, I tried to stay with them but obviously I couldn't. I am really proud of that move, and being a senior you get in that situation and you tough it out. So, I was proud of being able to do that and finish strong."
The Spartans ended the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with four All-American honors with Dillon Morlock (second-team), Xavier Griffiths (honorable mention) and Colby Morlock (honorable mention).
"I think what we saw from our competitors that made it here this week is a sense of what it takes to compete at this level," Breznau said. "They understood what it takes to not just get ready, but stay ready at this level. They understand the importance of learning and seizing the moment. Our men's throwing program is really taking off, and I am incredibly proud of Coach Vicars and the work he is putting into that group. Two of the three guys are coming back next year, and they are just a great group."
NCAA Championships Meet Results
Wednesday, June 10
Xavier Griffiths – hammer throw – 64.88m (19th)
Dillion Morlock – shot put – 19.01m (10th)
Colby Morlock – shot put – DNF
Thursday, June 11
Kate Stewart-Barnett – 3000m steeplechase semifinal – 9:37.81
Saturday, June 13
Kate Stewart-Barnett – Women's 3000m steeplechase final – 9:36.63 (5th)
