K-State Breaks Records in Indoor Track Regular Season Finale

Wildcats shine at Steve Miller Invitational, punching tickets to NCAA Championships

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Kansas State University's indoor track and field team wrapped up a record-breaking regular season at the Steve Miller Invitational on February 20. Several Wildcats set new school records and personal bests, including junior Vienna Lahner in the women's 1,000 meters and senior Monique Hardy in the women's weight throw. Other standout performances came from freshman Mattix DaCunha in the men's 60-meter hurdles and the women's 4x400 relay team.

Why it matters

K-State's impressive showing at the final regular season meet demonstrates the program's strength and depth, setting them up for a strong performance at the upcoming Big 12 Championships. The Wildcats' success highlights the hard work and coaching that has gone into developing these elite student-athletes.

The details

Junior Vienna Lahner broke the school record in the women's 1,000 meters with a time of 2:44.33, shaving nine seconds off her previous best. Senior Monique Hardy placed first in the women's weight throw with a mark of 22.12m, which ranks her 10th nationally. Freshman Mattix DaCunha ran the fifth-fastest 60-meter hurdles time in K-State history at 7.88 seconds. The women's 4x400 relay team of Nen Matlock, Cyrus Ways, Bongumusa Nkosi and Tavon Underwood clocked the third-fastest time in school indoor history at 3:05.95.

  • The Steve Miller Invitational took place on February 20, 2026.
  • Vienna Lahner broke the school record in the mile earlier this season on January 15, 2026.

The players

Vienna Lahner

A junior from Spring Hill, Kansas, Lahner is one of K-State's top distance runners, holding school records in the mile and 1,000 meters.

Monique Hardy

A senior thrower for the Wildcats, Hardy is ranked 10th nationally in the weight throw after her performance at the Steve Miller Invitational.

Mattix DaCunha

A freshman hurdler, DaCunha ran the fifth-fastest 60-meter hurdles time in K-State history.

Travis Geopfert

The head coach of the K-State track and field program, Geopfert praised the efforts of his athletes at the meet.

Trey Brokaw

An assistant coach who helped guide Vienna Lahner to her school record performance.

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What they’re saying

“'Vienna Lahner is on fire. Coach Trey Brokaw and Stephanie Brokaw helping her out, just unbelievable. Vienna to run another school record, Trey leading her in that, I'm just really proud of those efforts.'”

— Travis Geopfert, Head Coach (kstatecollegian.com)

“'One thing that really stood out to me tonight that I need to shout out is Monique Hardy. [She] is a senior, it's her last season of eligibility, and she threw 22 meters, punched her ticket to nationals in the weight throw, and, you know, got the weight off of her back. Proud of her, happy for her and we're really excited to go into this conference, meet this next weekend and go see what both of our teams can do.'”

— Travis Geopfert, Head Coach (kstatecollegian.com)

What’s next

The Wildcats will travel to Lubbock, Texas to compete in the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships on February 27-28.

The takeaway

K-State's dominant performance at the Steve Miller Invitational demonstrates the program's depth and potential heading into the postseason. With multiple school records broken and NCAA-qualifying marks set, the Wildcats are poised for a strong showing at the Big 12 Championships as they look to build on this record-breaking regular season.