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From NCAA champions and Olympic medalists to record-breaking performances and championship dynasties, the history of WAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field is filled with unforgettable moments that helped shape collegiate track and field history. The first WAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship was held in 1991, launching more than three decades of excellence across the conference.

BYU Sets the Standard
The BYU Cougars women's track and field dominated the conference in the 1990s, winning all nine WAC championships from 1991-99.
Key athletes during the Cougars’ dynasty included:

• Anna Mosdell — NCAA discus champion in 1991 and 1992, becoming the first Canadian woman to win the NCAA title in the event.
• Anu Kaljurand — 1992 NCAA heptathlon champion and 1993 WAC Athlete of the Year.
• Tiffany Lott — Two-time NCAA heptathlon champion (1997, 1998), three-time WAC Athlete of the Year and current WAC record holder in the heptathlon and 100-meter hurdles.

SMU Brings National Championship Success
When SMU Mustangs women's track and field joined the WAC in 1997, the Mustangs immediately became one of the conference’s premier programs.
Highlights included:

• Windy Dean — Only woman in Division I history to win three consecutive NCAA javelin titles (1996-98).
• Kajsa Bergqvist — NCAA high jump champion in 1997 and 1999, Olympic bronze medalist in 2000 and still holds the WAC record at 6 feet, 6 inches.
• Florence Ezeh — Won three straight NCAA hammer throw championships from 1999-2001.
• Tyyti Reho — Captured the 2000 NCAA title in the 800 meters with a WAC-record time of 2:01.29.

Record Performances Across the WAC
The conference produced elite athletes from across the league during the 2000s and beyond.
Notable performances included:

• Aggeliki Tsiolakoudi of UTEP winning the 2000 NCAA javelin championship with a WAC-record throw of 197 feet, 8 inches.
• Allison Beckford helping Rice Owls women's track and field win four of the first five WAC team titles in the 2000s while claiming NCAA 400-meter championships in 2001 and 2002.
• Amber Kaufman of Hawaii winning the 2010 NCAA high jump title after also earning All-American honors in volleyball.

Louisiana Tech’s Championship Dynasty
Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters track and field built one of the greatest runs in conference history, winning seven consecutive WAC championships from 2005-11.
Leading the way was Chelsea Hayes, who:

• Set the WAC long jump record at 22 feet, 6¼ inches.
• Finished third at the NCAA Championships.
• Became the first Lady Techster to represent Team USA at the Olympics in 2012.

Modern Era Stars Continue the Tradition
Recent years have continued the WAC’s tradition of elite distance runners, sprinters and jumpers.
Among the standouts:

• Courtney Frerichs of Kansas City finished second at the 2015 NCAA Championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase before winning Olympic silver in Tokyo.
• Greta Karinauskaite of California Baptist broke Frerichs’ WAC steeplechase record and finished second nationally in 2023.
• Everlyn Kemboi of Utah Valley holds WAC records in the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 meters as the Wolverines have won back-to-back conference championships.
• Victoria Cameron set new WAC records in the 100 and 200 meters last season.
• Prestina Ochonogor of Tarleton State is a WAC co-record holder in the long jump.

A Legacy of Excellence
For more than 30 years, WAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field has showcased championship programs, Olympic talent and historic performances that continue to shape the legacy of the conference.

The 2026 WAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be hosted by UT Arlington and will be held at Maverick Stadium in Arlington, Texas from Thursday, May 14 through Saturday, May 16.