LEXINGTON, Ky. – Crimson newcomers defined the final day of action for Harvard track & field at the 2026 NCAA East First Round, as first-years Nadjela Wepiwé and Dylan McElhinney both qualify for the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships in their respective events.

A native of Friedrichsdorf, Germany, Wepiwé orchestrated a superb performance in the women's discus first round to clinch her spot at Hayward Field. After logging a 49.17m (161'4") on her first attempt of the afternoon, Wepiwé launched a throw of 54.82m (179'10") on her second try, cementing her ninth place finish in Lexington.

A top-five finisher in the women's discus throw at the 2026 Ivy League Heptagonal Outdoor Championships, Wepiwé's throw ranks fourth all-time in school history. Wepiwé is only the fourth Crimson in program history to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the women's discus throw, joining sister and current junior Milina Wepiwé, Estel Valeanu '23, and Nikki Okwelogu '17.

Along with Nadjela Wepiwé, Milina Wepiwé also represented Harvard in the women's discus first round. The 2024 All-America First Team selection in the event finished in 26^th place with a throw of 51.21m (168'0").

Entering the weekend ranked 33^rd among all competitors in the women's 1500m at the NCAA East First Round, McElhinney qualifies for the NCAA Outdoor Championships after another stellar run in the Bluegrass State. Competing in the second heat of the women's 1500m quarterfinals, McElhinney captured fifth place in her section with a time of 4:11.89 to automatically advance to Eugene.

A native of New York, New York and an All-Ivy League Second Team selection in the women's 1500m this year, McElhinney is only the third Crimson in program history to earn a spot in the women's 1500m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, as two-time NCAA national champion in the event Maia Ramsden '24 and Abbe Goldstein '22 qualified in previous seasons. 

History for Harvard also arrived in the closing heat of the women's 4x100m relay quarterfinals. Senior Mfoniso Andrew, sophomore Ella Cooper, junior Mickaila Haisley and sophomore Saige Forbes combined for a time of 44.17 to finish in 20^th place, marking a new school record and the second-fastest time in Ivy League history. The Crimson quartet upends the previous record of 44.29 set by Ngozi Musa '19, Gabby Thomas '19, Autumne Franklin '16 and Jade Miller '17 ten years ago at the 2016 NCAA East First Round.

The women's 3000m steeplechase saw senior Molly Malague conclude her Crimson tenure, as the Metuchen, New Jersey native finished in 16^th place with a time of 10:05.43. Last season saw Malague earn All-America honorable mention status in the event.

Harvard ended the week at the 2026 NCAA East First Round with the women's 4x400m relay, as junior Marta Amani, Andrew, senior Jacklynn Okereke and Cooper combined for a time of 3:34.41 to take 21^st place.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS

• Nadjela Wepiwé and McElhinney both qualify for the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships for the first time in their careers.
• McElhinney joins Ramsden and Goldstein as the only Crimson to qualify for the women's 1500m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in school history.
• Nadejla Wepiwe is one of four Crimson in program history to represent Harvard in the women's discus throw at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
• The women's 4x100m relay of Andrew, Cooper, Haisley and Forbes set a new school record in the event with a time of 44.17.

UP NEXT

Harvard will feature in six events at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships, as the Crimson will head to the legendary Hayward Field from June 10-13.

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