Two members of the SMU Mustangs track and field team qualified on May 31 for the 2026 NCAA Track and Field Championship in Eugene, Oregon. Sanders advanced out of the quarterfinals in the 100-meter hurdles, running a time of 12.99 seconds to place fourth in her heat and eighth overall, securing her spot based on time. “I am very blessed to be able to go to nationals,” Sanders said. “I’m so excited to run at Hayward again. It is a beautiful and fast track. It is also nice to see my hard work paid off.”
Chacchia earned an automatic qualification by placing third in her heat of the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 57.29 seconds. “I made it,” Chacchia said. “I am so grateful to God for giving me this opportunity, and I’m so excited to get to compete again in Oregon!”
Hilton competed in the 800-meter quarterfinals, finishing with a time of 2:07.56 as she concluded her collegiate career at SMU. “Hard to believe four years is over,” Hilton said. “I am proud of what I have done during my time here! Forever thankful for the decision I made to come to SMU and all the people who supported me throughout my journey.”
In field events, another Mustang placed sixteenth overall in the long jump semi-finals with a mark of 6.30 meters during her first year at SMU.
Senior Hedda Kvalvag recorded a jump of 12.98 meters in the triple jump semi-finals, finishing twenty-fourth overall, while a freshman teammate completed her season with a mark of 12.62 meters in the same event.
“These four years challenged me, shaped me, and taught me more about myself than I ever imagined,” Kvalvag said about concluding her college career at SMU.
