Hokie ClubLEXINGTON, Ky. — Virginia Tech track and field’s Katie Bohlke, Kaitlyn Cook and Jule Lindner each qualified for the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, helping the Hokies close out the NCAA East First Round with three additional qualifiers.
Bohlke earned an automatic qualifying spot in the 5,000 meters, finishing fourth in her heat in 15:31.94. She has continued her strong postseason after capturing the ACC outdoor title in the event earlier this month.
She has put together a historic season, becoming the first Hokie woman to break 16 minutes in the 5,000 meters. Bohlke set the school record April 17 at the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, Va., posting a personal-best 15:31.85. The NCAA Championships will mark her first outdoor national appearance.
Cook punched her ticket to Eugene in the triple jump, placing sixth with a mark of 13.27 meters (43 feet, 6½ inches). In her first season as a Hokie, Cook has quickly established herself among the program's top jumpers. Earlier this spring, she recorded a personal-best 13.31 meters (43-8) to move into fourth place in Virginia Tech history in the outdoor triple jump.
She also ranks fifth all-time in the outdoor long jump at 6.05 meters (19-10¼), third in the indoor long jump at 6.04 meters (19-9¾) and fourth in the indoor triple jump at 12.91 meters (42-4¼). Saturday's result secured her first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Lindner advanced in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after finishing second in her heat in 9:46.95. The freshman has impressed throughout her outdoor debut campaign, earning bronze in the event at the ACC Outdoor Championships and setting the Virginia Tech program record in her collegiate steeplechase debut. At the Virginia Challenge, she ran 9:46.08 to claim first place and rewrite the Hokies' record book.
Virginia Tech has now qualified 10 athletes for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Qualifiers:
- Katie Bohlke — 5,000 meters
- Kaitlyn Cook — Triple jump
- George Couttie — 1,500 meters
- Maddox Hamm — Pole vault
- Christian Jackson — 800 meters
- Jule Lindner — Steeplechase
- Conner McClure — Pole vault
- Mariana Pestana — Hammer throw
- Nick Plant — 1,500 meters
- Chiara Sistermann — Pole vault
Up Next
The Hokies will return to Blacksburg this week to prepare for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by the University of Oregon at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., June 10-13.
Day 4 Results
Triple Jump
Kaitlyn Cook — 6th, 13.27m (43-6½) - q
1,500 Meters
Lila Waters — 23rd, 4:22.73
Steeplechase
Jule Lindner — 5th, 9:46.95 - Q
5,000 Meters
Katie Bohlke — 4th, 15:31.94 - Q