Completed Event: Track and Field at UNM Don Kirby Elite on February 13, 2026 ,
Track & Field
at UNM Don Kirby Elite
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Wednesday, May 27
Fayetteville, Ark.
Grand Canyon
vs
NCAA West Regional
Burkett, Rosario qualify for NCAA Championships
5/31/2026 8:52:00 AM | Track and Field
GCU duo punches tickets to Eugene with finishes in triple jump, 200-meter dash
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Grand Canyon senior sprinter Miguel Rosario and graduate jumper Taryn Burkett punched their tickets to the NCAA Championships with their West regional performances this weekend at Arkansas.
After just missing qualifying in the 100-meter dash, Rosario left no doubt in the 200 by placing third in 20.21 seconds. The Mountain West 100 and 200 champion was the first Lope to secure a spot a nationals spot with his Saturday finish at the NCAA West First Rounds.
Rosario, who is from Renton, Washington, ran a qualifying time that was just off his Mountain West Championship record time of 20.13 seconds, set on May 16.
Burkett, who is from Fort Collins, Colorado, followed by taking eighth in the triple jump with a distance of 13.52 meters (44 feet, 4 1/4 inches) to send the Mountain West champion to Eugene as well to compete at nationals.
"I am so proud of Miguel and Taryn," GCU head coach Tom Flood said. "They have both had amazing seasons. I can't wait to see what he does in Eugene."
When asked about Burkett's impact, Flood said, "GCU's 'Grace, Grit, Glory' is defined by Taryn. The fifth-year graduate will tell you she didn't have a great night on the runway on Saturday but still took care of business and qualified. She is ready to surprise people at NCAA."
The Lopes received strong showings in sprints and mid-distance races from senior Ben Stratman (400, 46.70), senior Germain Lemaitre (800, 1:48.99) and senior Taliyah Booker (400, 54.83). The men's 4x100 team also finished 17th with a time of 39.64
GCU junior Weston Means and sophomore Blake Heller led the men's side in jumps with Means finishing 24th in the high jump at 2.07 meters (6 feet, 9 1/2 inches) and Heller in 21st in the long jump at 7.45 meters (24 feet, 5 1/2 inches).
In pole vault, Lopes junior Eva Lowder recorded a top-15 finish with a mark of 4.33 meters (14 feet, 2 1/2 inches).
"We will say goodbye to several talented seniors — Justin, Conner, Ben, Germain, Atena, Amanda, and Taryn — and I would like to thank them for their wonderful service to GCU track and field," Flood said. "While I can never replace anyone, I've got some tough work to do this summer."
Burkett and Rosario will head to Eugene, Oregon, for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where Rosario will run his 200 semifinal on June 10 and Burkett will compete in the triple jump finals on June 13.
After just missing qualifying in the 100-meter dash, Rosario left no doubt in the 200 by placing third in 20.21 seconds. The Mountain West 100 and 200 champion was the first Lope to secure a spot a nationals spot with his Saturday finish at the NCAA West First Rounds.
Rosario, who is from Renton, Washington, ran a qualifying time that was just off his Mountain West Championship record time of 20.13 seconds, set on May 16.
Burkett, who is from Fort Collins, Colorado, followed by taking eighth in the triple jump with a distance of 13.52 meters (44 feet, 4 1/4 inches) to send the Mountain West champion to Eugene as well to compete at nationals.
"I am so proud of Miguel and Taryn," GCU head coach Tom Flood said. "They have both had amazing seasons. I can't wait to see what he does in Eugene."
When asked about Burkett's impact, Flood said, "GCU's 'Grace, Grit, Glory' is defined by Taryn. The fifth-year graduate will tell you she didn't have a great night on the runway on Saturday but still took care of business and qualified. She is ready to surprise people at NCAA."
The Lopes received strong showings in sprints and mid-distance races from senior Ben Stratman (400, 46.70), senior Germain Lemaitre (800, 1:48.99) and senior Taliyah Booker (400, 54.83). The men's 4x100 team also finished 17th with a time of 39.64
GCU junior Weston Means and sophomore Blake Heller led the men's side in jumps with Means finishing 24th in the high jump at 2.07 meters (6 feet, 9 1/2 inches) and Heller in 21st in the long jump at 7.45 meters (24 feet, 5 1/2 inches).
In pole vault, Lopes junior Eva Lowder recorded a top-15 finish with a mark of 4.33 meters (14 feet, 2 1/2 inches).
"We will say goodbye to several talented seniors — Justin, Conner, Ben, Germain, Atena, Amanda, and Taryn — and I would like to thank them for their wonderful service to GCU track and field," Flood said. "While I can never replace anyone, I've got some tough work to do this summer."
Burkett and Rosario will head to Eugene, Oregon, for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where Rosario will run his 200 semifinal on June 10 and Burkett will compete in the triple jump finals on June 13.
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