DURHAM, N.C. – Tia Lucas of the North Carolina Central women's track and field team has qualified for the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field East First Round for the second consecutive year. The regional competition will be held May 27-30 at the University of Kentucky.

Lucas (James Island, S.C.) will compete in the women's high jump on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 2 p.m. The four-day meet will be streamed on ESPN+, with Saturday's coverage starting at 5 p.m.

The senior spent much of the outdoor season atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference performance list in the high jump and backed it up with another conference title at the 2026 MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships last week. Lucas now owns three outdoor MEAC gold medals in the event.

Lucas recorded a season-best jump of 1.76m at the Dani Palooza Last Chance meet, a mark that moved her into a tie for 33rd on the NCAA East qualifying list. The top 48 declared athletes in each individual event from the East Region will compete at the UK Track Complex.

The NCAA West First Round is scheduled for the same dates at the University of Arkansas. The top 12 finishers from each individual and relay event at both regional meets will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, scheduled for June 10-13 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.