CSUN Wraps Up Day One of NCAA West First Round

Wednesday, May 27

Fayetteville, Ark.

California State University at Northridge

NCAA West First Round

James Crawford at 2026 Big West Championships

Photo by: Bella A Enriquez

CSUN Wraps Up Day One of NCAA West First Round

5/27/2026 1:15:00 PM | Men's Track & Field

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.---Three Matadors represented the CSUN Men's Track & Field team on day one of the NCAA West First Round on Wednesday at John McDonnell Field.

Senior James Crawford advanced to the quarterfinal round in the 100m after tying his personal-best on Wednesday. Crawford was second in his heat with a time of 10.25 as he finished tied for 18th overall in the first-round field. Entering the competition, Crawford was seeded 40th out of the 48-athletes.

Crawford looks to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships on Friday when he competes in the quarterfinal round, which consists of 24 athletes.

Senior Tylor Connelly would make his west regional debut in the men's hammer throw on Wednesday morning. Connelly recorded a throw of 63.20m (207-4) on his second attempt, which placed him 18th overall in the field, but short of advancing to the NCAA Championships.

The Matadors' Connelly enjoyed a career year this past season as he placed third in the hammer at the 2026 Big West Championships while he recorded the third-best mark in the hammer in school history, reaching 64.82m (212-8).

Walter Pierce was the Matadors' final representative on Friday as he competed in the 400m first round. The sophomore clocked in a time of 46.84 to finish sixth in his heat and 39th overall as he missed the cut for the quarterfinal round.

Pierce concludes a standout second season with the Matadors, which included a second-place finish in the 400m at the Big West Championships. He would also record a new PR of 46.11 this season, good enough for second place in school history.

UP NEXT
CSUN will have four men's representatives compete on Friday at the NCAA West First Round. In the discus, both Kyriaun Davis and Isaiah Butler make their regional debuts starting at 11 a.m. while Jay Louison-Roe takes flight in the triple jump beginning at 4 p.m. Finally, James Crawford seeks a spot at the NCAA Championships when he competes in the 100m quarterfinals at 4:35 p.m.

#GoMatadors