Kansas Track & Field Breaks Four School Records, Sets Personal Bests at Four Meets

Jayhawks excel against elite competition, prepare for Big 12 championships

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Kansas track & field team had a standout weekend, setting four new school records and 19 personal bests across four different meets. Highlights included Quenton Walion and Ryo Higuchi breaking the men's mile record, Emmah Jemutai setting a new women's mile record, and Aaliyah Moore breaking the women's 800m record. The team also saw several podium finishes and strong performances as they prepare for the upcoming Big 12 championships.

Why it matters

Kansas track & field's record-breaking performances and personal bests against top national competition demonstrate the team's growth and potential heading into the championship portion of the season. The results show the Jayhawks can compete with the best in the country as they set their sights on the Big 12 meet and beyond.

The details

Over the weekend, Kansas track & field competed at four different meets - the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational, the Tyson Invitational, the Crimson Open, and the Ichabod Invite. The Jayhawks set four new school records, including in the men's mile, women's mile, and women's 800m. They also recorded 19 personal bests across a variety of events. Standout performances included Quenton Walion and Ryo Higuchi breaking the men's mile record, Emmah Jemutai setting a new women's mile mark, and Aaliyah Moore breaking the women's 800m record. The team also had several podium finishes, with Kierson Wicks taking third in the high jump and Anthony Meacham fourth in the pole vault at the Tyson Invitational.

  • On Friday, Quenton Walion and Ryo Higuchi competed in the men's mile at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational, with Walion breaking the previous school record and Higuchi then breaking Walion's new record.
  • On Saturday, Emmah Jemutai broke her own women's mile record at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational.
  • At the Tyson Invitational, Aaliyah Moore broke the women's indoor 800m school record.

The players

Quenton Walion

A Kansas track & field athlete who broke the school record in the men's mile.

Ryo Higuchi

A Kansas track & field athlete who broke the school record in the men's mile, setting a new mark.

Emmah Jemutai

A Kansas track & field athlete who broke her own school record in the women's mile.

Aaliyah Moore

A Kansas track & field athlete who broke the school record in the women's indoor 800m.

Stanley Redwine

The head coach of the Kansas track & field team.

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What they’re saying

“I think it was a great opportunity to compete against elite competition and was eye opening for us to see where we could improve and how we measure up against everyone.”

— Stanley Redwine, Kansas head coach (kuathletics.com)

“I thought our runners were spectacular in Boston. Quenton breaking the record was great, even though he only had it for five minutes he still had it, and I was happy for him. Ryo then following up that performance with his own record setting run was very impressive, and Emmah just does what she does best and it was great to see her shine against top competition.”

— Stanley Redwine, Kansas head coach (kuathletics.com)

“I thought competing against such a high competition level was really beneficial for us. I was obviously very happy and proud of Aaliyah [Moore] breaking another school record, but I thought as a whole it was great to see the level of competition we are going to need to go up against as we prepare for the Big 12 meet.”

— Stanley Redwine, Kansas head coach (kuathletics.com)

What’s next

The Jayhawks will prepare for two more meets next weekend, with athletes participating in the Steve Miller Invite in Manhattan, Kan. on Friday, Feb. 20 and others travelling to South Bend, Ind., for the Alex Wilson Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The takeaway

Kansas track & field's record-breaking performances and personal bests against top national competition demonstrate the team's growth and potential heading into the championship portion of the season. The results show the Jayhawks can compete with the best in the country as they set their sights on the Big 12 meet and beyond.