BYU junior Taylor Lovell captured the NCAA national title in the women's 3000m steeplechase, finishing with a time of 9:21.03 during the outdoor championships held on June 14, 2026.
The championship race saw Lovell lead a field of competitors to a first-place finish. According to official NCAA results from June 14, 2026, Sophie Novak of Notre Dame took second place with a time of 9:26.53, while Alabama freshman Cynthia Jemutai finished third in 9:33.36.
The steeplechase final also featured several other notable performances, including NC State's Angelina Napoleon in fourth place with a time of 9:35.56 and Michigan State's Katelyn Stewart-Barnett in fifth at 9:36.69. The competition was held under sunny conditions with temperatures reaching 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
The performance by Lovell contributed to a decorated year for the BYU women's track and field program. According to a season review released by BYU on July 2, 2026, the 2025-26 season was highlighted by three individual national titles and six Big 12 conference titles.
The Cougars also achieved significant success in championship settings, earning runner-up finishes at both the Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The program's strength was further evidenced by a fifth-place overall finish at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships.
In addition to athletic achievements, BYU athletes were recognized for their academic performance during the same period. On June 30, 2026, the Big 12 Conference announced that five BYU women's track and field athletes—Jenna Hutchins, Sarena Mackey, Kylie Olsen, Raygan Peterson, and Mayci Taylor—were named recipients of the Dr. Gerald Lage Award.
Furthermore, the conference recognized nine Cougars as members of the 2026 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team, according to an announcement from the Big 12 Conference on Tuesday, June 30.
The NCAA steeplechase results noted that the meet record and collegiate record for the event both stand at 8:58.15, set by Doris Lemngole of Alabama on June 14, 2025.
