TOPEKA, KAN. - UT Tyler track and field opened competition at the Washburn Open on Friday in Topeka, Kansas, competing against a deep regional and national field as the 2025–26 indoor season continued. The Patriots delivered several strong performances throughout the day, highlighted by record-breaking efforts and top finishes across multiple events.

On the women's side, Gracie Ladner continued her historic indoor season by breaking her own school record in the 3,000 meters, finishing fourth overall with a time of 9:51.82. Ladner became the first Patriot in program history to run under the 10-minute mark and recorded the top finish among Division II competitors in the event. Finley Hunting added a 15th place finish in the 5,000 meter run with a 17:52.16. Aerin Thompson added a strong showing in the sprints, placing fifth in the 200 meters with a time of 24.51. In the field events, Maren Ware finished 16th in the triple jump with a mark of 11.17 meters, while Alesha Jackson placed eighth in the high jump, clearing 1.55 meters.

The men also posted solid performances on day one, led by Tylan Johnson in the sprints. Johnson qualified out of the 60-meter preliminaries with a 15th-place finish in 6.92 seconds and later placed 15th in the 200 meters with a time of 21.69. Jeremiah Evans competed in the 600-yard run, finishing 16th overall in 1:12.68.

UT Tyler will continue competition at the Washburn Open on Saturday with the conclusion of multi-events, sprint finals, field event invite sections, and distance races, highlighted by the mile, 400 meters, 800 meters, and the 4x400-meter relays to close out the meet.