NCAA West Preliminaries
Evans Narrowly Misses Out on Qualifying for Nationals
5/29/2025 11:00:00 PM | Track and Field
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Junior Lexi Evans narrowly missed out on qualifying for the NCAA Championships during the second day of the NCAA West Prelims on Thursday night at E.B. Cushing Stadium.
Evans and sophomore Kelli Gaffney in the women’s 10,000-meter were the only Mustangs that competed on the second day of the meet.
After clearing the first three bars in the women’s pole vault on four attempts, Evans just missed at making it over the bar at 14 feet, 6 inches to finish in a tie for 14th, two places short of advancing to the NCAA Championships. If Evans cleared the bar at 14-6 it would have been a new lifetime best.
This season, Evans shattered the school record in the women’s pole vault by over 5 inches at the Mark Conover Classic (14-5.25) to qualify for the West Prelims for the third straight year. She also won the Big West title to become the fourth back-to-back champion in the women’s pole vault in conference history.
While battling hot and humid conditions under the lights, Gaffney did not finish the women’s 10,000 in her first regionals appearance.
The Cal Poly men will be back in action during the third day of the meet Friday. Chase Walter (400), Aidan McCarthy (800), Michael Chambers (3,000 steeplechase), Bryce Kueker (3,000 steeplechase) and the 4x400 relay will all be vying for berths to nationals. Competition for the Mustangs will get underway at 3:40 p.m. PDT Friday with the men’s 3,000 steeplechase. Live coverage on ESPN+ starts at 3 p.m. PDT and live results are available HERE.
Cal Poly Results
NCAA West Prelims Day 2
Women’s pole vault: T14, Lexi Evans, 14-2.
Women’s 10,000-meter: Kelli Gaffney, DNF.
