Rice University Athletics
Wednesday, June 10
Eugene, Ore.
Rice University
vs
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Photo by: Dale Mouton
Johannesdottir Advances to NCAA Championships
5/30/2026 11:37:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
FAYETTEVILLE – The Rice women's track and field team closed out their stay at the NCAA West Prelims Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark., with Julia Johannesdottir advancing to the championship meet.
Johannesdottir (100m hurdles) joined Mckyla Van der Westhuizen (javelin) and Alice Taylor (heptathlon) at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Johannesdottir advanced after finishing 12th in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.07, the last time qualifier to advance to the championship.
Alice Taylor finished one spot shy of a second bid to the championship, finishing 13th in the high jump with a clearance of 1.84m
Barbora Malíková saw her tremendous 2026 season come to an end, finishing 14th in the 400m with a time of 52.02.
Savannah Simms finished in 43rd in only her second triple jump competition of the outdoor season.
The 4x400m relay team of Riana Green, Arayna Mickles, Sydney Freeman and Malikova closed the evening in 19th, finishing with a time of 3:36.89.
DAY TWO NOTES (Thursday)
Van der Westhuizen secured a spot at the championship meet for the fourth consecutive season, finishing second in the prelims off her first throw of 57.09m. Emily Harbach (47.04m) and Elena Schwegman (46.98m) closed their seasons in 23rd and 24th, respectively.
Johannesdottir earned a spot in Saturday's quarterfinals for the 100m hurdles after finishing ninth with a time of 13.21. Malikova also advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals for the 400m, ending in 13th with a time of 52.28. Green finished in 39th with a time of 53.58.
Saniya Friendly closed her tremendous 2026 season, finishing 31st in the 100m with a time of 11.54. Freeman closed Rice's night, finishing 47th in the 400m hurdles.
Post Meet Reaction - Head Coach Jim Bevan
"I'm very proud of the way our athletes competed this week at the first round of nationals. Today was highlighted by Julia, just holding on in the final spot to qualify for the championship meet. The way she continues to compete at a high level has been so impressive to watch all season long. Alice was just left out of the high jump, in one of the best competitions I've ever seen at the first round meet. However, she will still be in Eugene for the heptathlon, and I look forward to seeing her compete there. Barbora was also just left out for the 400m, closing out a fantastic year. We look forward to seeing her grow even more next season. Savannah had a great jump forming on her final attempt, but lost balance and fell short. What she has done this year, specifically the last month, has been so impressive. She is a true competitor. The 4x400 team closed the meet, with a weather delay and bodies falling on the track bumping us back a little, but we closed well to cap off a great meet. I look forward to our three Owls representing us in Eugene."
RESULTS
100m Hurdles
12. Julia Johannesdottir – 13.07 (advances)
400m
14. Barbora Malíková – 52.04
4x400m
19. Green, Mickles, Freeman, Malikova – 3:36.89
High Jump
13. Alice Taylor – 1.84m
Triple Jump
43. Savannah Simms – 12.59m
DAY TWO RESULTS
Javelin
2. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 57.09m (advances)
23. Emily Harbach – 47.04m
24. Elena Schwegman – 46.98m
100m Hurdles Prelims
9. Julia Johannesdottir – 13.21 (advances to Saturday)
400m Prelims
13. Barbora Malíková – 52.28 (advances to Saturday)
39. Riana Green – 53.58
100m Prelims
31. Saniya Friendly – 11.54
400m Hurdle Prelims
47. Sydney Freeman – 1:03.71
UP NEXT
Johannesdottir, Taylor and Van der Westhuizen will compete at the NCAA Championships, starting on June 10.
Johannesdottir (100m hurdles) joined Mckyla Van der Westhuizen (javelin) and Alice Taylor (heptathlon) at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Johannesdottir advanced after finishing 12th in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.07, the last time qualifier to advance to the championship.
Alice Taylor finished one spot shy of a second bid to the championship, finishing 13th in the high jump with a clearance of 1.84m
Barbora Malíková saw her tremendous 2026 season come to an end, finishing 14th in the 400m with a time of 52.02.
Savannah Simms finished in 43rd in only her second triple jump competition of the outdoor season.
The 4x400m relay team of Riana Green, Arayna Mickles, Sydney Freeman and Malikova closed the evening in 19th, finishing with a time of 3:36.89.
DAY TWO NOTES (Thursday)
Van der Westhuizen secured a spot at the championship meet for the fourth consecutive season, finishing second in the prelims off her first throw of 57.09m. Emily Harbach (47.04m) and Elena Schwegman (46.98m) closed their seasons in 23rd and 24th, respectively.
Johannesdottir earned a spot in Saturday's quarterfinals for the 100m hurdles after finishing ninth with a time of 13.21. Malikova also advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals for the 400m, ending in 13th with a time of 52.28. Green finished in 39th with a time of 53.58.
Saniya Friendly closed her tremendous 2026 season, finishing 31st in the 100m with a time of 11.54. Freeman closed Rice's night, finishing 47th in the 400m hurdles.
"I'm very proud of the way our athletes competed this week at the first round of nationals. Today was highlighted by Julia, just holding on in the final spot to qualify for the championship meet. The way she continues to compete at a high level has been so impressive to watch all season long. Alice was just left out of the high jump, in one of the best competitions I've ever seen at the first round meet. However, she will still be in Eugene for the heptathlon, and I look forward to seeing her compete there. Barbora was also just left out for the 400m, closing out a fantastic year. We look forward to seeing her grow even more next season. Savannah had a great jump forming on her final attempt, but lost balance and fell short. What she has done this year, specifically the last month, has been so impressive. She is a true competitor. The 4x400 team closed the meet, with a weather delay and bodies falling on the track bumping us back a little, but we closed well to cap off a great meet. I look forward to our three Owls representing us in Eugene."
100m Hurdles
12. Julia Johannesdottir – 13.07 (advances)
400m
14. Barbora Malíková – 52.04
4x400m
19. Green, Mickles, Freeman, Malikova – 3:36.89
High Jump
13. Alice Taylor – 1.84m
Triple Jump
43. Savannah Simms – 12.59m
DAY TWO RESULTS
Javelin
2. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 57.09m (advances)
23. Emily Harbach – 47.04m
24. Elena Schwegman – 46.98m
100m Hurdles Prelims
9. Julia Johannesdottir – 13.21 (advances to Saturday)
400m Prelims
13. Barbora Malíková – 52.28 (advances to Saturday)
39. Riana Green – 53.58
100m Prelims
31. Saniya Friendly – 11.54
400m Hurdle Prelims
47. Sydney Freeman – 1:03.71
Johannesdottir, Taylor and Van der Westhuizen will compete at the NCAA Championships, starting on June 10.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Throws
/ Women's Track & Field
Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Javelin
/ Women's Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Javelin
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