University at Buffalo
NCAA First Rounds
Kapp & Parks Represent UB Track & Field at NCAA East First Rounds
5/30/2026 4:23:00 PM | Track and Field
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – Stella Kapp and Michael Parks of the University at Buffalo track and field program competed at the NCAA East First Rounds on Wednesday and Saturday, representing the program at the regional competition. The two athletes qualified for the regional rounds by ranking in the top 50 of the NCAA East in their respective events. Parks and Kapp did not advance to the NCAA Championships.
Parks competed in the first round of the 110-meter hurdles on Wednesday, placing 28th in the field of 48 athletes with a time of 13.91 seconds. The senior missed the quarterfinals cut mark of 13.82 seconds, under one tenth of a second shy of advancing. The top 24 athletes continued to the quarterfinals, with the top 12 then advancing to the NCAA Championships.
Parks had a historic year for the Bulls, becoming the first hurdles athlete in program history to compete at the NCAA East First Rounds. The senior won the Mid-American Conference title for both the 60-meter hurdles (7.83) and the 110-meter hurdles (13.91), earning All-MAC First Team honors for both performances. The 60-meter hurdles gold medal marked Parks' second consecutive season winning the event at conference championships, becoming the first athlete in program history to do so. The senior also set program records in both events, posting 7.83 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles and 13.72 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles. Parks surpassed the previous 110-meter hurdles record by over two-tenths of a second, breaking Ryan Billian's record time of 13.96 set in 2017. The senior went on to break the 13.90-second barrier four times throughout the season.
Kapp's participation marked the fourth time a women's high jump athlete competed at NCAA East First Rounds or NCAA Championships, joining Zahra Amos (2024 & 2025) and Shelly Hamilton (1998) in the program record book. The sophomore placed 29th of the 46 athletes in attendance with a jump of 1.71 meters, clearing the bar on her first attempt. The top 12 athletes advanced to the NCAA Championships, all posting a mark of 1.79 meters or better.
Kapp had a strong sophomore season, earning her second MAC medal at outdoor championships by placing second in the high jump (1.74m). The sophomore was named All-MAC Second Team following conference championships, the first time she earned an All-MAC honor in her career. Kapp set a new personal best of 1.76 meters in the outdoor season, tying Zaria Fuller to rank fifth in program history. The sophomore earned a podium placement at MAC Indoor Championships too, placing seventh with a mark of 1.69 meters. Kapp was also a podium finisher in the javelin at outdoor championships, taking sixth in the event with a personal record throw of 40.88 meters. The performance also ranked seventh in program history.
All results from the NCAA East First Rounds.
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