LEXINGTON, Ky. – The George Mason track & field teams concluded their 2026 NCAA East First Round appearance on Saturday, May 31.
Senior Abby Weening opened the final day of competition in the women's high jump. Competing in a field of 48 athletes, Weening looked to finish among the top 12 competitors to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.
Weening cleared both 1.71m and 1.76m on her first attempts but was unable to clear 1.79m after three tries. She finished tied for 14th in a highly competitive field.
Although she did not advance in the high jump, Weening has already secured an automatic berth to the NCAA Outdoor Championships as one of the nation's top 24 heptathletes during the outdoor season.
Ella Semple was the final Patriot to compete at the NCAA East First Round, making her regional debut in the women's 5000m run. The event featured 48 athletes split into two heats, with the top five finishers from each heat and the next two fastest times advancing to the national meet. Entering the race as the 42nd seed, Semple placed 38th overall with a time of 16:24.79.
Semple closes out a remarkable two-year career at George Mason following a breakout 2025-26 campaign. She opened the season by capturing the Atlantic 10 individual title in women's cross country and went on to break both the indoor and outdoor school records in the 5000m. Semple also earned Atlantic 10 gold medals in the indoor 3000m and 5000m runs, as well as the outdoor 5000m.
In addition to her school records, Semple ranks among George Mason's all-time leaders in four other events: seventh in the indoor 1000m, second in the indoor mile, third in the indoor 3000m, and third in the outdoor 1500m.
George Mason's outdoor season will conclude on the sport's biggest collegiate stage at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., from Wednesday, June 11, through Saturday, June 14. Kennedy Drish will compete in the women's pole vault, while Abby Weening will represent the Patriots in the women's heptathlon.
