After the opening day of the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, the South Alabama men's team holds the lead, while the Texas State women's team is in first place. Marshall University's athletes secured several podium finishes, including a gold medal in the women's long jump.
The Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships began on February 23, 2026, in Birmingham, Alabama, with the South Alabama men's team leading after the first day, according to conference reports. On the women's side, Texas State took the top spot.
Marshall University's Thundering Herd had a strong showing, particularly highlighted by senior Lara Check's gold medal in the women's long jump. Check jumped 6.05 meters, the only athlete to reach six meters, earning her first individual conference title and adding 10 points to the team's tally. Markayla Moore contributed a silver medal in the women's weight throw with a 19.81-meter effort, securing eight points. In the men's 5K final, Justin Lipscomb set a personal record of 14:36.61 to finish second, adding eight points.
The Marshall women totaled 27 points, placing third overall, with additional top-eight finishes from Halie Wynter (sixth in weight throw, 17.11m), Jenna Olsen (seventh, 17.05m), Lakesha Smith (sixth in long jump, 5.89m), and the women's distance medley relay team (eighth, 12:14.31). The men's team scored 24 points, including five from the distance medley relay (fourth, 10:14.30) featuring Maxton Sowers, Chris Swint, Ryan Hughes, and Garrett Ferguson. Anthony Belcher placed fourth in the men's weight throw (18.64m), and Gradian Graham fifth (18.51m).
Several Marshall athletes advanced to finals on day two: Conner Myers in the mile (4:27.16 in prelims), Alayezia Williams (8.57 in 60m hurdles prelims), and Azurie Garrett (8.69). The championships continue on February 24, starting with the women's shot put at 1 p.m.
