Oregon track teams could make history at Big Ten championships

Former Duck Ryann Porter jumps during the women’s triple jump during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon’s Samuel Blount throws in the men’s shot put during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon’s Toby Stolberg wins the women’s high jump during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon’s Landen LeBlond competes in the women’s 1,500 meters during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon’s Taylor Wiseman throws in the women’s discus during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon’s Marie Josée Bovele-Linaka throws in the women’s discus during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Philomath’s Olivia Hernandez wins the middle school girls mile during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon’s Marie Josée Bovele-Linaka throws in the women’s discus during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Gus VandenHeuvel wins the boys middle school mile during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Hayden Williams-Downing wins the women’s javelin during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Hayden Williams-Downing wins the women’s javelin during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Taylor Wiseman throws in the women’s shot put during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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Oregon's Simeon Birnbaum sets meet record at Hayward Field

Oregon alum Jaida Ross throws for Nike Oregon Track Club in the women’s shot put during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Emily Fitzsimmons win the women’s pole vault during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Former Duck Ryann Porter jumps during the women’s triple jump during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Samuel Blount throws in the men’s shot put during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Toby Stolberg wins the women’s high jump during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Landen LeBlond competes in the women’s 1,500 meters during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Taylor Wiseman throws in the women’s discus during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Marie Josée Bovele-Linaka throws in the women’s discus during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Philomath’s Olivia Hernandez wins the middle school girls mile during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Oregon’s Marie Josée Bovele-Linaka throws in the women’s discus during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as UO track and field athletes compete at Oregon Twilight

Gus VandenHeuvel wins the boys middle school mile during the Oregon Twilight on May 8, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

According to DyeStat, if both teams should win, it will be mark the first time since Wisconsin in 1996-97 that the same school completed the men’s and women’s triple crown.

Though accepted entries hadn’t been released by Thursday morning, the Oregon men are the pre-meet favorites with a lineup that is projected to score in 14 of 21 events.

Breakout star Simeon Birnbaum is the conference leader in the 800, 1,500 and 5,000 meters; Benjamin Balazs is the returning champion in the 3,000 steeplechase; Kai Graves-Blanks leads the 110 hurdles; Evan Burke, Evan Bishop and Luke Tewalt are 1-2-3, respectively, in the 10,000 standings; Benjamin Smith is No. 1 in the shot put; and the 4x100 relay team is also ranked No. 1.

“I think we’re covering a lot of bases right now,” Oregon coach Jerry Schumacher said after the Oregon Twilight meet May 8 at Hayward Field. “We have some depth in some events so we can really put up some big points.”

The women, who lack the depth of the men’s team, will have a tougher battle on their hands, though they certainly have some ringers.

Reigning NCAA outdoor and indoor champion Aaliyah McCormick is expected to compete in the 100 hurdles.

Silan Ayyildiz is the returning Big Ten champion in the 5,000 and runner-up in the 1,500, and Wilma Nielsen is the two-time NCAA indoor mile champion.

Liisa-Maria Lusti won the NCAA indoor pentathlon title in March and Diana Cherotich is the returning conference champion in the 10,000 who has the leading time in the Big Ten this season.

The women are also projected to score in the discus, pole vault, triple jump and 5,000.

“They don’t cover as many areas, but (the women’s team) has a lot of really strong individuals which are going to put up big points in probably less events,” Schumacher said.

Oregon’s Benjamin Balazs wins the men’s McChesney 1,500 meters May 8 in the Oregon Twilight at Hayward Field. The Oregon men's and women's teams are chasing historic sweeps at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships.

How to watch the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Friday, May 15

• TV: No live TV
• Stream: B1G+

Saturday, May 16

• TV: No live TV
• Stream: B1G+

Sunday, May 17

• TV: Big Ten Network (beginning 10:30 a.m. PT)
• Stream: B1G+

Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @chansen_RG

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon track teams chase historic triple crown at Big Ten Outdoor meet