TicketsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The University of Cincinnati men's track and field team finished the first day of action at the NCAA East First Round on Wednesday, hosted by the University of North Florida.
Lengthy weather delays hampered day one, causing the shot put to be moved to Thursday. Despite the disruptions, five Bearcats competed on the opening day, with graduate students Orry Willems and Ryan Rieckmann leading the way for Cincinnati.
// PUNCHING TICKETS IN STYLE
Willems is headed to Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He set a new UC record as he launched a 65.58m throw to earn a ninth-place finish in the hammer throw.
The Balen, Belgium, native is the second Bearcat in school history to qualify for the NCAA National Championships in the hammer throw. The other UC athlete to qualify in the event was Hall of Fame Bearcat Annette Echikunwoke. The 2025 USA Olympic silver medalist, Echikunwoke, qualified in 2016 and earned First Team All-America honors after garnering an eighth-place finish.
Rieckmann also earned his spot in Eugene for a chance to compete for a national title. He unloaded a throw of 67.90m to claim 10th place in the Javelin.
The Cheney, Wash., native is the third Bearcat in school history to qualify for the NCAA National Championships in the Javelin. Emelie Larsson achieved this feat in 2012, while Brian Zimmerman accomplished it in 2010.
// ADVANCING TO FRIDAY
Graduate student Jed Helker advanced to the 1500m quarterfinals, which are scheduled to take place at 5:15 on Friday. Helker placed 12th overall with an incredible time of 3:40.90, just a mere 0.30 seconds from his personal best of 3:40.60.
// ENDING THE SEASON STRONG
Two Bearcats concluded their impressive 2025 seasons.
Junior Camden Beatty notched a speedy time of 51.24 in the 400m hurdles, taking home 30th place, putting a stamp on his breakout 2025 season.
Making his East First Round debut, junior Ben Fiser placed 45th in the hammer throw after recording a throw of 58.42m.
// BEARCATS COMPETING TOMORROW
THURSDAY (WOMEN) + MEN'S SHOT PUT
Hammer – 8 AM (Miranda Tcheutchoua & Hannah Blood)
Shot Put (M) – 12:30 PM (Fred Moudani-Likibi & Korbin Spencer)
100m Hurdle – 2:30 PM (Macaela Walker)
100m – 3:30 PM (Kya Epps)
400m – 3:55 PM (Davenae Fagan)
400m Hurdle – 4:50 PM (Macaela Walker)
Shot Put (W) – 5 PM (Amanda Ngandu Ntumba)
200m – 5:15 PM (Kya Epps & Davenae Fagan)
10,000M – 9:10 PM (Claire Curtsinger)
// FOLLOW & SUPPORT THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Track and Field/Cross Country, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsTFXC on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
To support the Bearcats Track and Field program click HERE.
Lengthy weather delays hampered day one, causing the shot put to be moved to Thursday. Despite the disruptions, five Bearcats competed on the opening day, with graduate students Orry Willems and Ryan Rieckmann leading the way for Cincinnati.
// PUNCHING TICKETS IN STYLE
Willems is headed to Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He set a new UC record as he launched a 65.58m throw to earn a ninth-place finish in the hammer throw.
The Balen, Belgium, native is the second Bearcat in school history to qualify for the NCAA National Championships in the hammer throw. The other UC athlete to qualify in the event was Hall of Fame Bearcat Annette Echikunwoke. The 2025 USA Olympic silver medalist, Echikunwoke, qualified in 2016 and earned First Team All-America honors after garnering an eighth-place finish.
Rieckmann also earned his spot in Eugene for a chance to compete for a national title. He unloaded a throw of 67.90m to claim 10th place in the Javelin.
The Cheney, Wash., native is the third Bearcat in school history to qualify for the NCAA National Championships in the Javelin. Emelie Larsson achieved this feat in 2012, while Brian Zimmerman accomplished it in 2010.
// ADVANCING TO FRIDAY
Graduate student Jed Helker advanced to the 1500m quarterfinals, which are scheduled to take place at 5:15 on Friday. Helker placed 12th overall with an incredible time of 3:40.90, just a mere 0.30 seconds from his personal best of 3:40.60.
// ENDING THE SEASON STRONG
Two Bearcats concluded their impressive 2025 seasons.
Junior Camden Beatty notched a speedy time of 51.24 in the 400m hurdles, taking home 30th place, putting a stamp on his breakout 2025 season.
Making his East First Round debut, junior Ben Fiser placed 45th in the hammer throw after recording a throw of 58.42m.
// BEARCATS COMPETING TOMORROW
THURSDAY (WOMEN) + MEN'S SHOT PUT
Hammer – 8 AM (Miranda Tcheutchoua & Hannah Blood)
Shot Put (M) – 12:30 PM (Fred Moudani-Likibi & Korbin Spencer)
100m Hurdle – 2:30 PM (Macaela Walker)
100m – 3:30 PM (Kya Epps)
400m – 3:55 PM (Davenae Fagan)
400m Hurdle – 4:50 PM (Macaela Walker)
Shot Put (W) – 5 PM (Amanda Ngandu Ntumba)
200m – 5:15 PM (Kya Epps & Davenae Fagan)
10,000M – 9:10 PM (Claire Curtsinger)
// FOLLOW & SUPPORT THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Track and Field/Cross Country, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsTFXC on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
To support the Bearcats Track and Field program click HERE.