Track & Field 2/12/2026 8:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Race To Pitt State

Central Oklahoma Takes On Russ Jewett Invitational Friday and Saturday

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Central Oklahoma continues Indoor Track & Field season with the Russ Jewett Invitational Friday and Saturday at Pittsburg State's Robert Plaster Center.

UCO will compete in eight different events with 15 student-athletes entered. The Bronchos begin Friday with the 60-meter hurdle and 60-meter dash preliminary races, as well as the 600-yard and 5,000-meter events.

Saturday's action begins with the shot put and the 3,000-meter race. The 60-meter hurdles and 60-meter dash finals, the 800-meter race, and the 4x400 relays wrap up the two-day event Saturday.

Deriayah Lee and Tyana Hymes are the two entered in the 60-meter hurdles that will compete Friday for a spot in Saturday's finals. Lee has the team's top time this season with an 8.97-second mark at Washburn in December. Hymes clocked a 9.42 at OU last month.

In the 60-meter dash, Mikayla Stephenson and Lauryn Thaggard will compete. Thaggard's 8.16 at Pitt State last month is her season best while Stephenson ran an 8.24 at Washburn in December.

McKenna Huston and Lily Melton will run the 600-yard race Friday, both for the first time this season. Huston ran the event twice as a freshman at Wichita State last season, clocking times of 1:44.82 and 1:43.98. Melton is in her rookie season.

The 800-meter race will feature two rookies, including Melton. Gabija Pukstas will also race. A freshman from Stillwater, Pukstas has twice ran the mile and finished in the Top 10 in both appearances. Saturday will mark the debut in the 800m for both runners.

Arianne Williams, Asia Williams, and Maya Winterburn will all race in the 3,000 meters on Saturday. Arianne Williams (11:23) has the top time of the group while Winterburn (12:07) has also competed. Asia Williams will make her debut in the event Saturday.

Melton and Arianne Williams will compete in the 5,000 meters Friday both for the first time this season.

Abigail Kelly is Central's only field athlete this week. She will compete in the shot put Saturday at noon. Kelly has thrown 11.50m and 11.13m this season. Her career-best is 11.91m in January 2025.

UCO will compete this weekend at Pitt and return there in two weeks for the 2026 MIAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. The Bronchos are searching for a qualifying standard for the 2026 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships scheduled for March 13-14 in Virginia Beach.

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Players Mentioned

Tyana Hymes: Hurdles; 5' 4"; Sophomore

Abigail Kelly: Throws; Junior

Deriayah Lee: Hurdles; 5' 3"; Junior

Mikayla Stephenson: Sprints; 5' 5"; Junior

Asia Williams: Distance; 5' 4"; Senior

McKenna Huston: Sprints; Sophomore

Gabija Pukstas: Distance; Freshman

Lauryn Thaggard: Sprints; Freshman

Lily Melton: Distance; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Tyana Hymes
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: Hurdles

Abigail Kelly
: Junior
: Throws

Deriayah Lee
: 5' 3"; Junior
: Hurdles

Mikayla Stephenson
: 5' 5"; Junior
: Sprints

Asia Williams
: 5' 4"; Senior
: Distance

McKenna Huston
: Sophomore
: Sprints

Gabija Pukstas
: Freshman
: Distance

Lauryn Thaggard
: Freshman
: Sprints

Lily Melton
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: Distance