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Vincennes University

Trailblazers Tune Up for Nationals at Indiana State Open

Trailblazers Tune Up for Nationals at Indiana State Open
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February 21, 2026

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field made its final preparations for the postseason on Saturday at the Indiana State University Open, using the meet as a key tune-up ahead of the NJCAA Indoor National Championships. First-year Head Coach Michael Mangan emphasized the value of the opportunity, saying, "This was a great tune-up for Nationals in about 10 days. Competing on a flat 200-meter track presented a different challenge and gave us a chance to sharpen some things before championship racing."

Men

Sophomore Anis Abdaoui highlighted the distance group with a third-place finish and personal-best 4:10.54 in the mile, earning a meet record while improving his national qualifying mark and moving to third in program history. Distance Coach Tyler Steigenga praised the rebound performance, saying, "After a rough mile race last week, Anis bounced back well and accomplished exactly what we wanted. The time puts him right in position nationally to be in the fastest heat with Iheb (Slimani) heading into championships."

Freshman Henry Dybsetter added a personal best of 5:02.82 in the mile, continuing the group's late-season progress. In the 800 meters, freshman Iheb Slimani led a strong effort with a third-place 1:55.38 performance, while freshman Travon Lane ran 2:00.37 to win his section after closing from last place over the final 100 meters. Freshman Jacob Kusbel followed in 2:00.83, and freshman Youssef Dridi posted a 2:02.75 season best as the quartet secured the program's national qualifying standard in the 4x800 relay. Mangan praised Lane's performance, saying, "I was proud to see Travon step outside his comfort zone and trust the coaching staff. He executed exactly what we asked and delivered when it mattered."

Sophomore Lane Connaway added a personal best of 2:04.21 in the 800 meters, while freshman Evan Dailey continued a strong indoor campaign with a personal-best 9:13.54 in the 3,000 meters. Steigenga noted Dailey's race execution, saying, "Evan showed a lot of growth. He moved from last place early to finish second in his section and nearly caught the leader down the stretch."

On the sprint side, sophomore Devin Wilson continued lowering his marks with a personal-best 6.95 in the 60 meters, moving to ninth in program history. Mangan said, "Devin has consistently been under seven seconds this season, and that kind of consistency shows the progress he's made indoors."

In the field events, sophomore Marshawn Bradley recorded a personal best of 5.45 meters in the long jump. The throws group also showed continued improvement, as freshman Nate Robertson delivered a personal-best 14.51 meters in the weight throw, while freshman Jesse Huff added a personal-best 12.81 meters.

Women

Freshman Elizabeth Smith led the women's distance performances in the mile, finishing fifth by running 5:17.28 to move to sixth in program history. Steigenga said, "Liz showed great versatility. It gives us another strong option for our Distance Medley Relay heading into nationals, and she narrowly missed both her personal best and the qualifying mark."

In the 800 meters, sophomore Sarra Belgacem won her heat with a national qualifying performance of 2:22.78, while freshman Ikram Dorai followed with a national qualifier of 2:23.89, helping improve the Trailblazers' 4x800 relay standing. Freshman Rorri Bottum added a personal-best 2:42.24. Mangan praised Belgacem's effort, saying, "I was really excited to see Sarra deliver such an excellent race. That performance helped elevate our relay position heading into postseason competition."

On the track, freshman Olivia Chambers-Greer recorded a personal-best 8.74 in the 60 meters and ran 29.50 in the 200 meters, while freshman Cinnamon Harris posted a personal-best 9.88 in the 60 meters and added a 34.05 performance in the 200 meters.

In the throws, freshman Elena Gabellini delivered a personal-best 13.42 meters in the weight throw, continuing steady progress for the women's field group.

Mangan said the meet accomplished exactly what the Trailblazers needed heading into championship competition. "We were able to fine-tune a lot of things this weekend and put ourselves in a strong position heading into nationals," Mangan said.

VU now turns its attention to the NJCAA Indoor National Championships, hosted by Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., March 6–7.

Join the Journey

As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field squads all year long through a number of ways:

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