Alabama
NCAA East First Round
Tide’s 10,000-Meter Trio Punches First Tickets to Outdoor National Championships
5/28/2026 12:15:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Dennis Kipruto (second), Dismus Lokira (fourth) and Hudson Hurst (seventh) recorded top-12 finishes in the men’s 10,000 meters to advance to the national meet, in Eugene, Ore., June 10-13
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Alabama track and field opened the NCAA East First Round by punching three tickets to the Outdoor National Championships in the men's 10,000 meters.
Dennis Kipruto (second | 28:30.45), Dismus Lokira (fourth | 28:49.19) and Hudson Hurst (seventh | 28:52.59) each recorded coveted top-12 finishes, with Hurst's personal-best performance moving him to No. 8 all-time at UA.
Additionally, four other Crimson Tide student-athletes advanced to Friday's national quarterfinals with opportunities to qualify for Eugene, Ore. Hamdani Benahmed opened the day with an automatic qualifying time of 3:49.31 in the men's 1,500 meters. Reigning SEC and national champion Samuel Ogazi (44.61) recorded the fastest 400-meter time in the East Region's first round. David Thid (49.50) finished second in his 400-meter hurdles heat and fourth overall, maintaining his No. 3 spot in Crimson Tide history. Alpha Balde (20.55) closed the day with a runner-up finish in his 200-meter heat to advance to Friday's national quarterfinals.
Up Next – Day Two Schedule of NCAA East First Round
- UA field events will begin at 9 a.m. CT
- Women's hammer throw – Noelle Igberaese (Flight 1) and Catalina Rodriguez (Flight 4)
- UA track events will start at 5 p.m.
- Women's 100m hurdles – Faith Osamuyi (Heat 5)
Day One Top Results
- 200m
- 16th: Alpha Balde | men's national first round | 20.55 – PR (Q, top-three in his heat)
- 400m
- 1st: Samuel Ogazi | men's national first round | 44.61 (Q, top-three in his heat)
- 400m Hurdles
- 4th: David Thid | men's national first round | 49.50 (Q, top-three in his heat)
- No. 3 all-time at UA
- 4th: David Thid | men's national first round | 49.50 (Q, top-three in his heat)
- 1,500m
- 33rd: Hamdani Benahmed | men's national first round | 3:49.31 (Q, top-five in his heat)
- 10,000m
- 2nd: Dennis Kipruto | men's national semifinal | 28:30.45
- 4th: Dismus Lokira | men's national semifinal | 28:49.19
- 7th: Hudson Hurst | men's national semifinal | 28:52.59 | PR, No. 8 all-time at UA
