LEWISTON, ID – The 2025-26 LC State Track and Field season opens on Saturday when the Warriors travel to Spokane for the Spokane Invitational. LC State returns a great deal of talent, but even more impressive might be the depth the program has added in the last year. The Warrior roster features 30 new faces, as well as some of the program’s top returners. Fifth-year senior Madigan Kelly returns to the track after a year off as part of a talented senior class.

Twenty two of the Warrior newcomers are on the men’s side, including NCAA Division I transfer Arthur Thomas. LC State also added local products Cole Arlint, Noah Carpenter, Milo Kunnap, Luke Siler and Malachi Walsh. LC State added eight women to their roster including Clarkston’s Claire Dooley and cross country standouts Kailee Lerew and Eva Lundren.

Mike Collins, who enters his 25th season at the helm of LC State Track and Field, made recruiting a priority heading into the year.

“I took it upon myself to hit recruiting hard for our track program,” coach Mike Collins said. “We really saw the effect of that on the men’s side. We will be looking to catch up this year with the women, but in the meantime, it is exciting to see what we might be able to do. It gives us the opportunity to allow athletes to focus on individual events rather than also putting energy into relays. More importantly, our training on a daily basis is better with them pushing each other to get better. Right now we just want to get to next year healthy then work towards conference and national qualifying marks. But I do have a little asterisk out there when it comes to conference championships. Could be interesting.”

Kelly, a former Lewiston Bengal, has her name etched throughout the LC State record book as the best hurdler to ever compete for the Warriors. She found herself on the podium at the 2024 outdoor national meet but was plagued with injuries last season and sat out the year. She is back to make more history in her final season in a Warrior uniform.

“You bet we are hopeful,” Collins said. “Sometimes you get silver linings when small storms seem to set you back. Last year seemed to be full of those for Madigan. Fortunately, because she is an education major, she had a fifth year to do her student teaching and an option to come back and compete. Her attitude is great and her work ethic is like no other. Plus, we really need her. Our depth on the women’s side is not great, so she brings in some quality talent and maturity to the program that is extremely helpful. And from a personal standpoint, her and Emily (Collins) are the best of friends, so I know it will be special for both to go out this senior year together.”

Another former Bengal that has made a large impact at LC State is Kelly’s childhood friend and daughter of head coach Mike Collins and athletic trainer Tracy Collins, senior Emily Collins. The 400m and 600m specialist holds multiple records at LC State and broke some of her mother’s at Lewiston High School. As a senior leader on the team and a student-athlete that progresses every year, Emily Collins has her sights set on a return to nationals.

“Hard not to be biased about Emily and where/how do you separate dad from coach, but I think we do a pretty good job of it,” Mike Collins said. “I know her goal is an All-American this year and my goal is to do everything possible to help her earn it. I have never seen her work harder. Her events are some of the most competitive and deepest in the country, so she has her work cut out for her, but if anyone can do it, she can.”

On the men’s side, sprinters Jedidiah Barnaby and Jordan Castillo, along with triple jumper Trenton Johnson, led the way for the Warriors. Barnaby is the fastest Warrior in school history with Castillo not far behind. Johnson is the best men’s triple jumper to ever wear and LC State singlet and just missed out on an All-American finish last season. All three have been integral parts of the program for four years.

“Jed and Jordan have been mainstays in the men’s sprint group and have truly set the standard and expectation level of what it means to be a sprinter here at LC,” Mike Collins added. “I know their goals are set very high and their energy levels are very contagious. The freshmen already follow them and are working hard to emulate them and with those two, among others, as examples, we can’t go wrong. Trent provides the same kind of mainstay in the jumps group, but with a very different personality skill set. Generally, he is so low keyed and laid back until it is time to compete and then there is no one more focused and intense. We have a very good group of young jumpers that will learn a lot from him this year.”

The Warriors also return sophomore Damaris Kibiwot who earned All-American honors in the indoor 3,000m last season before an All-American finish at cross country this year. Seniors Grace Tiegs, Camille Ussher and Kobe Wessels bring a lot of momentum into their final track and field seasons after stellar cross country seasons.

Mike Collins also expressed the growth among the throwers in the program. Along with the addition of Thomas, LC State has strong leadership in seniors Grace Osborne and Faith Wersland. Haylee Appleford had a breakout season in 2025, as did javelin throwers Perry Severijnse and Gianna Anderson.

“Arthur Thomas, a transfer from Idaho, should be in contention to qualify for nationals,” Mike Collins explained. “Our throwers have been progressing each year.”

The indoor season includes six meets before the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships with three in Spokane, two in Moscow and one in La Grande. The national meet is set for Mar. 5-7 in Gainesville, Fla.

The outdoor season opens on Mar. 15 at the OU Preview in Eugene. The CCC Multi will take place Apr. 16-17 in Ashland and the full conference meet is set for May 8-9 in La Grande. The 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships will be May 20-22 in Asheville, N.C.

“The standards keep getting tougher each year to qualify for nationals, but we have seen success each year, so right now we will focus on the processes of what it takes to be successful and then see what kind of product that produces,” Mike Collins said. “That has worked well for us in the past and there is no reason to change from what has already worked. Indoor is expected to be more competitive this year and we may make some adjustments as to who will compete as we work our way through the meet in order to make the most of competition and training, but the big goal will be both national competitions and the conference championships. Training is truly set for a big macrocycle with outdoors in mind, so any success indoors is a bonus, but as soon as we see opportunities, we make adjustments.”

Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.

HOUSTON – University of Houston Athletics and Live Life Healthy (LLH) Healthcare announced a significant multi-year partnership on Thursday that aligns two brands focused on the health and wellness of their communities. As part of the agreement, LLH Healthcare becomes the official naming rights partner of the Houston indoor track facility, which will now be known as the LLH Healthcare Indoor Track.

This partnership strengthens UH’s commitment to providing student-athletes with world-class resources while highlighting LLH Healthcare’s dedication to advancing health, wellness and innovation across the Greater Houston area.

“We wanted to do something different and outside the box with this partnership with LLH Healthcare,” Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez said. “We believe this collaborative partnership between Houston Athletics and LLH raises the bar for health and wellness in our community and in our athletics department. This partnership also bolsters our historic track and field program and continues to improve the facilities needed for our track and field athletes to compete at their best.”

The LLH Healthcare Indoor Track and Training Center hosts multiple professional, collegiate, high school, youth and all-comers meets every year with thousands of athletes competing at the highest level. Houston’s indoor track was installed ahead of the 2019 season and includes a six-lane, 200-meter banked oval and an eight-lane straightaway for 60-meter hurdles and sprints. The installation also includes two horizontal jump runways with sand pits and two pole vault runways, boxes and pits.

“I’m so excited about the partnership with Live Life Healthy,” Track & Field Head Coach Carl Lewis said. “It’s such an important message to people of all ages, and the support that we’re getting from the community is incredible. This partnership is going to benefit the entire City of Houston, not just the University of Houston.”

Another key component to the partnership includes a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program that will directly support University of Houston student-athletes.  LLH Healthcare will collaborate with selected athletes to promote a “Live Life Healthy” initiative.

“Partnering with the University of Houston reflects exactly who we are: committed to elevating health, performance, and opportunity for the communities we serve,” says Zachary Rogers, CEO of LLH Healthcare. “Under the legendary leadership of Coach Carl Lewis, UH has built a culture defined by speed, discipline, and excellence. The LLH Healthcare Indoor Track and Training Center is more than a name—it’s an investment in Houston’s future and a commitment to supporting student-athletes with the same innovative, preventative-care approach we deliver to employers across the region. We’re proud to stand with UH as they shape tomorrow’s leaders.”

LLH Healthcare provides employees and their families with a preventative health plan that offers zero-cost health benefits.  LLH Healthcare aims to maintain a healthy workforce through a comprehensive approach to health management by utilizing services such as telemedicine, genomics screenings and lab testing, coaching and more.

With this commitment, LLH Healthcare becomes the Official Employee Benefits Partner of Houston Cougar Athletics, as well as a member of the Nantz Leadership Society.

“This is an exciting time for UH Athletics across all of our programs and it’s a privilege to partner with an innovative company like LLH Healthcare on the new renovations for the Indoor Track Facility to enhance our student-athlete experience,” said Shane Hildreth, General Manager of Houston Cougars Sports Properties.

Houston Cougars Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Houston Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Cougars.

About LLH Healthcare
Founded in 2019, LLH Healthcare is where champions choose care.  Our mission is to empower individuals and families to take charge of their health through proactive, preventative care.  With a full suite of telemedicine services, 24/7 virtual access to healthcare professionals, and household-wide coverage – including hospital indemnity benefits – LLH Healthcare supports the everyday wellbeing of those striving to perform at their best.  From the workplace to the playing field, we help build healthier lives for today’s and tomorrow’s champions.

About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Track and Field by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Podium Club, which provides support directly to Houston Track and Field for needs beyond its operating budget.