The Rice women's track and field team is heading to the 2026 American Conference Outdoor Championships, commencing Thursday in North Texas. They are currently projected to finish second overall, with standout performances expected from several athletes. Julia Johannesdottir leads with the top mark in the 100m hurdles and ranks second in the heptathlon. Cullen Merrell is the front-runner in the 800m, while Alice Taylor leads the heptathlon and ranks high in the high jump.

By the Numbers
  • Julia Johannesdottir has a school-record 100m hurdles time of 13.02.
  • Cullen Merrell's 800m record time stands at 2:08.16.
  • Josie Taylor has a high jump clearance of 1.87m, the best in the conference.
  • Mckyla Van der Westhuizen leads javelin throw with 59.06m, while Emily Harbach follows at 55.01m.
  • Saniya Friendly is seeded second in the 100m at 11.42 and third in the 200m at 23.49.
State of Play
  • The Owls enter the championships ranked second overall in the team standings.
  • Multiple athletes are poised to challenge for top spots across various events.
  • The team has notable talent in both individual events and relays.
What's Next

The championships will spotlight key competitors as they vie for individual and team honors throughout the weekend. Athletes will seek to improve their rankings ahead of future meets, including potential qualifiers for national events. The results will shape the team’s momentum heading into upcoming seasons.

Bottom Line

The Rice Owls are in a strong position to compete at the American Conference Outdoor Championships, with several athletes positioned for strong performances. Their success is critical for team morale and setting the stage for future competitions.