Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to Oklahoma track and field right now, you’re missing the loudest opening statement the state has ever made on a national stage.
The dust hasn't even settled from the Owen Hewett Invitational in Norman. Just yesterday, January 16, 2026, the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) turned the Mosier Indoor Facility into a total record-shredding factory. We aren't just talking about personal bests. We're talking about world-leading marks and program history getting rewritten before the spring semester even really starts.
The Kennedy Stringfellow Show
Let's talk about Kennedy Stringfellow. Most people knew he was good, but what he did Friday night was basically a "welcome to the elite" party. He soared 8.29 meters (that’s 27 feet, 2.5 inches for those of us who still think in imperial) in the long jump.
It didn't just break the OU school record. It immediately jumped him to the top of the NCAA leaderboards and, remarkably, the current world lead for the 2026 indoor season.
That is huge.
Usually, you see these kinds of distances in March or June, not mid-January. It’s clear Coach James Thomas has the Sooners peaking with a terrifying amount of early-season intensity.
The Bedlam Rivalry Goes Indoors
The rivalry between Norman and Stillwater is usually a football or wrestling conversation, but the OSU Cowboys aren't exactly sitting quietly in the corner. While Stringfellow was doing his thing, OSU’s Pavana Nagaraj was busy obliterating her own set of records.
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Nagaraj, a sophomore transfer, jumped 6.47 meters in the long jump. She broke a program record held by Bailey Golden that had stood since 2023. What’s wild is she did it while taking down a field that was almost entirely Sooners.
The Cowboys are coming off a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Indoors last year—their best since the mid-60s—and they look like they want even more. Brian Musau, their 5,000-meter specialist, is already on the Bowerman Preseason Watch List for 2026.
When you have athletes like Musau and Stringfellow in the same state, the level of competition just naturally rises. It’s a "rising tide lifts all boats" kind of situation.
High School Stars and the Next Generation
It’s not just the collegiate level where Oklahoma track and field is making noise. High school recruiting in the state has become a gold mine for Power Five programs.
Remember the name Nehemiah Cole from Capitol Hill High. He’s been clocking 10.97 in the 100-meter dash as a junior, and he’s part of a 2026 class that looks incredibly deep. We also saw some massive throws last year from Moore’s Elizabeth Jaques in the shot put, proving that Oklahoma isn’t just a "distance state" or a "sprint state." It's becoming a "everything state."
Why the 2026 Schedule Matters
The upcoming weeks are packed.
If you want to see this live, the Sooners are hosting the JD Martin Invitational on January 23. Then you've got the Oklahoma Classic on February 6.
One thing most people get wrong about track is thinking it’s all about the individual. But watching these teams navigate the SEC and Big 12 splits is fascinating. OU is now deep in SEC territory, competing against giants like Florida and Georgia.
It’s a harder road.
But judging by Kennedy Clarke smashing the OU weight throw record with a 21.34-meter toss this week, the Sooners aren't intimidated by the new logo on the jersey.
Historical Context and "The Why"
Why does this state produce so many high-level jumpers and throwers?
Some people point to the coaching stability. You look at names like J.D. Martin or the late Dick Weis, who OSU just mourned the passing of in late 2025. These guys built cultures that didn't just value winning, but valued technical mastery.
You see that technical skill in someone like Blair Anderson, the NCAA Outdoor runner-up who just opened his final season with a 7.65-meter jump. He’s consistent. He’s methodical.
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That is the hallmark of Oklahoma track and field.
What to Watch Next
The indoor season moves fast. By the time we hit the Big 12 Indoor Championships in Lubbock or the SEC Championships in College Station at the end of February, we'll know if these January records were a fluke or a sign of a national title run.
Here is what you should actually do if you want to follow along:
- Track the leaderboards: Keep an eye on TFRRS (Track & Field Results Reporting System). Stringfellow’s 8.29m is the mark everyone is chasing right now.
- Go to Norman: Admission to the JD Martin Invitational on Jan 23 is free. It’s rare to see world-class athletes for zero dollars.
- Watch the multis: OSU’s Katie Chapman just won the 60m hurdles in 8.54 seconds. The multi-event athletes in this state are some of the best in the country.
The 2026 season is barely two weeks old and the record books are already being scribbled over. If the early results from the Owen Hewett meet are any indication, the outdoor season in Eugene this June is going to have a very heavy Oklahoma presence.
Don't wait until June to start paying attention. The real work is happening right now in the Mosier Indoor Facility. Keep an eye on the freshman class too; players like Elise Eikeland are already picking up victories in their first-ever collegiate outings. This isn't just a veteran's game anymore. The future of the sport in the 405 and 405-adjacent areas is brighter than it's been in decades.