NCAA West Preliminaries
Evans, Feyrer Secure Berths to Nationals
5/28/2026 11:45:00 PM | Track and Field
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Senior Lexi Evans and sophomore Ben Feyrer both punched tickets to nationals to highlight a stellar Day 2 of the NCAA West Prelims on Thursday for the Cal Poly track and field program.
A total of five Mustangs competed Thursday. While battling some difficult weather conditions, two of Cal Poly’s pole vaulters dug deep to deliver some incredibly clutch performances to secure spots at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on June 10-13.
Feyrer was the first to punch his ticket to nationals on Thursday. Entering the meet seeded No. 18 in the West in the men’s pole vault, the Davis, Calif. native had arguably the best performance of his collegiate career while vaulting in wet, slippery conditions. He cleared the bar at 17 feet, 1.5 inches (5.22 meters) on his first attempt and then leaped over the bar at 17-7.25 (5.37m) on his second attempt to all but lock up a trip to nationals for the first time. Feyrer then put an exclamation point on his performance by soaring over 17-11.25 (5.47m) on his third and final attempt to guarantee his spot in Eugene. The mark was a lifetime best by over 2 inches and moved him up to No. 7 in school history in the event.
The 2026 Big West men’s pole vault champion placed fourth overall at the West Prelims to become the first Mustang in 14 years (John Prader, 2012) to qualify for NCAAs in the men’s pole vault. Originally, the men’s pole vault competition was scheduled to be contested on Wednesday, but the event was moved to Thursday due to weather.
Under the lights, Evans shined when it mattered most in the women’s pole vault to book a trip to nationals outdoors for the first time. The 2026 Second Team Indoor All-American opened at 13-10.5 (4.23m), clearing the bar on her second attempt before doing the same at 14-2.5 (4.33m) to put herself in a good position of qualifying for nationals. Then with everything on the line, Evans rose to the occasion and cleared an outdoor lifetime best of 14-6.25 (4.43m) to avoid a jump-off and lock up a berth to NCAAs with a 10th-place finish. The mark surpassed her own outdoor school record and Big West conference record in the event.
By securing a spot to nationals, the San Diego native became the first Mustang in 27 years (Paula Serrano, 1999 NCAA pole vault national champion) to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the women’s pole vault. Evans’ ticket-punching performance on Thursday served as a bit of redemption for the three-time Big West champion, who finished two places and one bar short of qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships a year ago.
Junior Astrid Teran capped off her first season as a Mustang by tying for 31st in the women’s pole vault at West Prelims, clearing a pair of bars. 2026 Big West 10,000-meter champion Kelli Gaffney took 31st in the 10,000 (34:16.86) in her second West Prelims appearance, while Camrenne Genilla finished 42nd in the women’s javelin (143-0; 43.60m) in her regionals debut to round out the Mustangs that competed on Thursday.
With Travis Martin (men’s hammer throw) qualifying for nationals on Wednesday, and Feyrer and Evans both punching tickets Thursday, the Mustangs currently have three NCAA qualifiers — matching their total from last season.
Six more Mustangs will be fighting for berths to nationals on Day 3 of the NCAA West Prelims on Friday — Chris Caudillo (men’s 1,500), Aidan McCarhty (men’s 1,500), Carson Smith (men’s 1,500), Michael Chambers (men’s 3,000 steeplechase), Dheeraj Gurusamy (men’s 3,000 steeplechase) and Bryce Kueker (men’s 3,000 steeplechase). Action on the track starts at 3:15 PM PDT Friday for the Mustangs. Follow the live results HERE and watch the meet live on ESPN+.
Cal Poly Results
NCAA West Prelims Day 2
Women’s 10,000-meter Semifinal: 31, Kelli Gaffney, 34:16.86.
Women’s pole vault First Round: 10, Lexi Evans, 14-6.25 (4.43m). T31, Astrid Teran, 13-4.5 (4.08m).
Men’s pole vault First Round: 4, Ben Feyrer, 17-11.25 (5.47m).
Women’s javelin First Round: 42, Camrenne Genilla, 143-0 (43.60m).
