Thirty-Five University of Oklahoma Sooners Ready to Compete at NCAA West First Rounds with Championship Dreams on the Line

A massive contingent of thirty-five University of Oklahoma student-athletes are set to compete at the 2024 NCAA West First Rounds, underlining the program’s continued dominance in track and field and its broad-based strength across multiple disciplines. The Sooners, renowned for both their tradition and recent rise in collegiate athletics, are sending a deep and talented roster of men and women to Fayetteville, Arkansas, as they pursue coveted national championship berths at one of the most competitive meets in the country.

The NCAA West Preliminary Rounds, hosted this year by the University of Arkansas at John McDonnell Field, serve as the gateway to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. For the Sooners, this meet represents more than just a qualifier—it’s a culmination of a season’s worth of training, improvement, and competition at the highest level. With stakes this high and talent this deep, Oklahoma heads into the meet confident, prepared, and eager to leave its mark.

The 35-athlete total includes 19 men and 16 women who have earned qualification based on their performances throughout the outdoor season. The NCAA selection criteria are stringent, only inviting the top 48 performers in each individual event and the top 24 relays from the western half of the country. For the Sooners to place this many competitors in the regional meet is not only a sign of individual excellence but also of team-wide consistency, coaching quality, and a culture of competitive excellence.

Head coach Tim Langford has long emphasized a team-first mindset, even in an individual-centric sport like track and field. His approach has been crucial in creating an atmosphere in which athletes feed off each other’s success, pushing themselves daily in training and competition. That mindset will be essential as the Sooners face off against elite competition from across the country in pursuit of national bids.

Among the headliners for Oklahoma are several All-Americans, school record holders, and Big 12 champions. One of the most notable is Vernon Turner, the seasoned high jumper who has been a consistent force at the national level for years. Turner holds one of the top marks in the NCAA this season and enters the West First Rounds as a legitimate national title contender. His blend of technical precision and competitive fire has made him a fixture in championship conversations.

Joining him on the men’s side is Jackson Webb, a sprinter whose consistency in the 100m and 200m has him poised for a breakout postseason. Webb, who transferred to Oklahoma and quickly became one of its top speedsters, has posted sub-10.2 times in the 100m and has been part of a blistering 4x100m relay team that also qualified for Fayetteville. His ability to produce in high-pressure races will be crucial, especially with multiple rounds packed into a short timeframe.

In the throws, Oklahoma brings serious firepower. Senior thrower Tucker Smith, a Big 12 title contender and nationally ranked shot putter, heads to Arkansas with a season-best mark that ranks among the top 15 nationally. Smith’s steady improvement throughout the year has been one of the brightest spots for the Sooners’ men’s squad, and his ability to peak at the right time could catapult him into the national finals in Eugene.

On the women’s side, the storylines are equally compelling. Standout sprinter Mikayla Hayes leads the way with qualifying marks in both the 100m and 200m dashes. A key figure for the Sooners all year, Hayes combines elite raw speed with a refined race strategy that has made her one of the most reliable scorers on the roster. Her performances at the Big 12 Championships turned heads, and she’s aiming for more than just qualification—she wants a podium finish.

Also making waves is pole vaulter Emma Kitto, whose steady rise in the NCAA rankings has positioned her as a potential national finalist. Kitto, who broke the school record earlier this season, has become a beacon of consistency for the Sooners’ women’s team. Her confidence and form entering the regional meet suggest she’s ready to vault to even greater heights on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Oklahoma’s middle-distance runners have also made significant strides this year, highlighted by Kayla Leland’s performances in the 800m and 1500m. A tactical runner with a strong finishing kick, Leland enters the regional meet in peak condition and ready to challenge for a spot in Eugene. She’s joined by fellow standout junior Ryan Grady, who qualified in the men’s 1500m and enters the meet with growing momentum after a season filled with personal bests and top-tier competition.

The presence of a qualified men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay team further reflects the depth of Oklahoma’s roster. These relays require not only speed but chemistry and flawless execution—traits that have become hallmarks of this year’s squads. Both relay teams head into the NCAA West First Rounds with top-20 national times and realistic chances to move on to the championships.

Beyond the standout individuals and relay groups, what sets this Oklahoma squad apart is its breadth. The Sooners have qualifiers in the sprints, mid-distance, long-distance, jumps, throws, hurdles, and relays. It’s a reflection of comprehensive team development, where no discipline is overlooked and every athlete is empowered to perform. Such diversity not only increases the program’s chances of success but builds a competitive training environment that benefits everyone.

The lead-up to the regional meet has seen focused preparations on both the physical and mental sides. Coaches have structured tapering plans, fine-tuned mechanics, and emphasized recovery, all to ensure peak performance when it matters most. On the mental side, visualization techniques, routine reinforcement, and veteran leadership have helped the athletes stay locked in.

For many Sooners, this isn’t their first trip to regionals. That experience, whether it resulted in advancement or heartbreak, is paying dividends now. They know the pacing, the environment, the pressure—and they’re better equipped to handle it. For the newcomers, the upperclassmen have served as invaluable mentors, reinforcing the mindset and discipline required for success at this level.

While every athlete competing in Fayetteville dreams of reaching the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, the regional rounds are a brutal proving ground. The top 12 in each event from each region advance, meaning every heat, every jump, every throw carries immense weight. There is no room for error, and no second chances. But for a program like Oklahoma’s, built on preparation and resilience, the moment isn’t too big—it’s just right.

Beyond the pursuit of national qualification, these rounds also serve as an opportunity for legacy building. For seniors, it may be the final time they represent the Crimson and Cream in collegiate competition. For underclassmen, it’s a springboard into future seasons. Every performance matters, not just for the individual or the present, but for what it builds and inspires in the future.

There’s also a sense of broader purpose. Oklahoma Track and Field has been climbing steadily over the past several years, building a program that competes not just regionally or within the Big 12, but nationally. Sending 35 athletes to the NCAA West First Rounds is a major statement in that journey. It signals that Oklahoma is not just participating—it’s pushing toward elite status.

As the competition begins in Fayetteville, all eyes will be on how many Sooners can take the next step and punch their ticket to the NCAA Championships. But regardless of how many advance, the presence of 35 athletes wearing the interlocking OU is already a win in itself. It’s a testament to talent, to work ethic, and to belief—a belief that when preparation meets opportunity, great things can happen.

From jumpers to hurdlers, sprinters to throwers, veterans to rookies, the Sooners are ready. Ready to compete. Ready to rise. Ready to represent the University of Oklahoma on one of the grandest stages collegiate track and field has to offer. And with every step, every stride, and every result, they’ll be writing another chapter in the growing legacy of OU Track and Field.