FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Utah Valley's historic 2026 season came to a close on Saturday with three athletes competing on the final day of the NCAA West Regionals at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville.
Grace Degarimore was the first Wolverine in action in the discus and posted a 40th-place finish with a top throw of 46.78m. Degarimore made program history this week as the first thrower to compete in multiple events at regionals. This season, Degarimore set the school record in the discus to win the WAC Championship, and also moved up to No. 2 all-time in the shot put, trailing only Helena Engman, who has the longest-standing school record in any event (1999).
Caren Kipsirat started off strong in the steeplechase, but took a tumble going over the first water jump and was unable to maintain her early pace. Kipsirat ended up finishing 12th in her heat and 40th overall in her debut trip to regionals. In her freshman season, Kipsirat set the school record in the steeple and went on to win the WAC Championship in the event in dominating fashion.
Morgan Nokes' inspirational season came to a close after finishing 12th in her heat and 22nd overall in the 5,000-meter. Nokes made her triumphant return to the team back in August just five months postpartum and posted arguably the best individual cross country season in program history. Nokes won a women's team-record five races during the fall and became the second-ever All-American in cross country when she finished 23rd at nationals.
Nokes continued that success into the indoor season, where she set the WAC 5,000-meter record and won three conference titles in the mile, 3k, and 5k. Nokes shined in her final outdoor season, moving up to second all-time in program history in both the 5k and 10k, trailing only former All-American Everlyn Kemboi, and won the WAC titles in each event.
The 2026 season saw tremendous success for both teams, with the men's squad winning their first indoor title since 2015, and the women's team winning their third-straight outdoor title. Between cross country, indoor, and outdoor, the team also won 21 individual conference championships.
