Ajayi, Okon Drawn Apart in NCAA 100m Prelims as Nigerians Target Glory in Eugene

Reigning NCAA Division 1 indoor champion Kanyinsola Ajayi and his Auburn teammate Israel Okon will not face each other in the 100m preliminaries of the 2026 NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships, which begin next week in Eugene.

Ajayi, the overwhelming favourite, is drawn in the third of three heats and is expected to secure one of the two automatic qualifying spots. The 21-year-old is the only athlete in his heat to have broken 10 seconds this year.

Okon, meanwhile, lines up in heat two, where he is one of just two athletes to have dipped under 10 seconds this season.

In the 200m, Okon will run from Lane 6 in the second heat. He is the only athlete across all three heats to have gone inside 20 seconds this year, making him the standout contender.

Nigeria’s presence is also strong in the 400m, where David Akhalu competes in the first heat while pre-championship favourite Samuel Ogazi runs in the third. Only the top finisher from each heat and the next best three times will advance to the final.

Field events will see Charles Godfred aiming to be among the top nine advancing from the long jump qualifiers, while Chidozie Ikenga Kalu targets the same in the triple jump. In the javelin, Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi enters as the overwhelming favourite to qualify and win.

On the women’s side, Tima Godbless faces a stern test in the 100m. She must finish in the top two of heat three or rely on being among the three fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

In the 400m, three Nigerians are in contention: Esther Joseph runs from Lane 2 in heat one, while Favour Onyinye Onyah and Chioma Nwachukwu compete in heat three.

The top two from each heat and the three fastest losers will qualify for the final. Notably absent is Ella Onojuvwevwo, who has ended her collegiate career without a title and signed with NIKE to go professional.

Nigeria’s hopes in the women’s field events are equally high. Temitope Adeshina, among the 24 qualifiers in the high jump, seeks to complete an NCAA slam after retaining her indoor crown in March.

Prestina Ochonogor will compete in the second qualifying group of the long jump, aiming for a top-nine finish. Meanwhile, new Nigerian and African shot put record holder Jessica Oji is in the mix and determined to secure her place in the final.