Two Hokies punch national tickets, six more advance on opening day of NCAA East RegionalsTwo Hokies punch national tickets, six more advance on opening day of NCAA East Regionals
Track & Field

Two Hokies punch national tickets, six more advance on opening day of NCAA East Regionals

Hamm and McClure secure national championship berths in the pole vault while Virginia Tech advances six runners to quarterfinal action with two all-time program marks in the 800 meters

Pledge Per Stay Connected Day 1 Results (PDF)

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Maddox Hamm and Conner McClure punched their tickets to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., while six additional Hokies advanced to the next round Wednesday as Virginia Tech opened competition at the NCAA East Regionals at the Kentucky Track and Field Complex.

Hamm and McClure both cleared 5.45 meters (17 feet, 10.5 inches) in the men’s pole vault to secure national qualifying spots. Hamm won the event, while McClure followed closely behind. The appearance marks Hamm’s first trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships and McClure’s second.

Virginia Tech also saw success in the men’s 1,500 meters, advancing all three competitors to the quarterfinals. Nick Plant finished 11th in 3:43.93, George Couttie placed 13th in 3:43.99 and Sam Idiens took 17th in 3:44.27, with all three earning qualifying spots.

The Hokies continued their strong showing in the men’s 800 meters, where all three runners advanced following a tightly contested finish. Dylan DeCambre placed fourth in 1:46.79, recording a personal best and the fifth-fastest time in program history. Roan Kelly finished eighth in 1:46.93, also earning a personal best and moving to sixth all-time at Virginia Tech. Christian Jackson added an 18th-place finish in 1:47.45 to complete the Hokies’ sweep of qualifying spots.

Up Next
The women will take on day two of the NCAA East First Round, with Mariana Pestana kicking off for the Hokies in the hammer throw at 10:00 a.m. ET.

DAY 1
Hammer Throw - First Round 

Lukas Baroke – 17th (64.56m (211’ 10”)) 

Pole Vault - First Round
Maddox Hamm – 1st (5.45m (17’ 10.5”)) (Q) 

Conner McClure – 7th (5.45m (17’ 10.5”)) (Q) 

Layne Studer – NH 

1500m - First Round
Nick Plant – 11th (3:43.93) (Q) 

George Couttie – 13th (3:43.99) (Q) 

Sam Idiens – 17th (3:44.27) (Q) 

400m - First Round
Nabil Tezkratt – 43rd (46.75) 

800m - First Round
Dylan DeCambre – 4th (1:46.79) (Q) (PB) (Fifth all time for VT) 

Roan Kelly – 8th (1:46.93) (q) (PB) (Sixth all time for VT) 

Christian Jackson – 18th (1:47.45) (Q) 

10000m - Semifinal
Nicholas Kipchirchir – 29th (29:33.51)