Troy University Athletics
Track and Field Qualifies Four for NCAA East First Round
5/21/2026 1:01:00 PM | Track & Field
TROY, Ala. – Four Trojans have qualified for the NCAA East First Round, as Jasai Taylor, Shanyah Washington, Rachel Whyte, and Aaliyah Murphy are set to compete May 27-30 in Lexington, Ky.
Taylor will kick things off for Troy on Wednesday, May 27, competing in the 400m hurdles at 7:20 p.m. CT. The senior holds the 32nd-fastest time in the East at 50.91, a mark he set during the Sun Belt Championships final to place fourth in the conference.
The first of three Trojans to compete on Thursday, May 28, Washington will run in the 100m at 6 p.m. CT. Washington earned her spot in Lexington after clocking an 11.22 at the Sun Belt Championships, earning a silver medal. She enters the week with the 29th-fastest time in the East.
Whyte continues the evening at 6:25 p.m. CT in the 400m. The senior is coming off a conference title in the event at the Sun Belt Championships, where she set a school record with a time of 52.56. Whyte enters the first round with the 45th-fastest time in the East.
Murphy will wrap up Troy's opening round schedule at 7:20 p.m. CT in the 400m hurdles. The sophomore claimed gold at the Sun Belt Championships while breaking her own school record with a time of 58.43. Murphy currently holds the 42nd-fastest time in the East.
Following the opening round, the top 24 athletes in each event will advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for May 29-30. The top 12 finishers from the quarterfinals will earn spots at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., set for June 10-13.
