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Red Raiders Host the Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Championship in Lubbock

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Track & Field

The Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Championship returns to Lubbock for the second time in three seasons, as the 2021 rendition will be held at Texas Tech’s Sports Performance Center on Feb. 26-27 in Lubbock, Texas. Due to local health protocols and CDC guidelines, the Big 12 Conference members have determined fans will not be permitted at this year’s Championship.

In 2020, the Texas women captured the title for a third consecutive year, while the Iowa State men picked up its first men’s championship. There was a four-way tie for the women’s high-point scorer a year ago as Iowa State’s Cailie Logue, Texas’ Julien Alfred and Kathryn Gillespie and Texas Tech’s Ruth Usoro each tallied 20 points. ISU’s Edwin Kurgat won the men’s high-point crown with 26 points.

In the latest USTFCCCA rating index, six men’s teams sit in the top-25: No. 7 Texas Tech, No. 11 Texas, No. 14 Iowa State, No. 22 Oklahoma, No. 23 TCU and No. 25 K-State. Five women’s programs are in the top-25: No. 3 Texas, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 15 Baylor, No. 19 K-State and No. 24 Oklahoma State.

There are five Big 12 student-athletes that currently have NCAA-leading marks. On the men’s side, Baylor’s KC Lightfoot (1st in pole vault; 6.00m, 19-8.25”), TCU’s Chengetyai Mapaya (1st in triple jump; 16.85m; 55’ 3.5”), Texas’ Leo Neugebauer (1st in heptathlon; 5960 points). Texas Tech as a pair of national leaders on the women’s side in Monae’ Nichols (1st in long jump; 6.75m, 22’ 1.75”) and Ruth Usoro (1st in triple jump; 14.28m, 46’ 10.25”).

Earlier this winter, eight standouts were named to the Bowerman Watch List during the mid-indoor update. The Conference led the nation with four selections on the men’s side and tied for first on the women’s side with four.

Texas and Texas Tech each had two selections on the women’s side with Julie Alfred (sprints) and Chanel Brissett (sprints/hurdles) representing the Longhorns and Nichols (jumps/sprints) and Usoro (jumps) representing the Red Raiders.

On the men’s side, Baylor’s Lightfoot (pole vault), Kansas’ Gleb Dudarev (throws), Texas’ Tripp Piperi (throws) and Texas Tech’s Takieddine Hedeilli (mid-distance). Additionally, TCU’s Mapaya received votes.

Events will begin with the 60-meter hurdles as part of the women’s pentathlon at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, while the men’s 4x400-meter relay will close out the competition Saturday at 5:55 p.m. A full schedule of events is available here.

Big 12 Now on ESPN+ will carry the Championship on both days featuring live running event finals and field event coverage on tape delay. Live coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday, February 26, while championship day coverage begins at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday. Access to watch the event will also be available through the ESPN App. Lincoln Rose and Johanna Gretschel will provide the commentary.