Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
NCAA East First Round
Cubbison Advances on First Night of NCAA East First Round
May 28, 2026 | Women's Track and Field
LEXINGTON, Ky. – On Bowling Green's first night of competition at the NCAA First Round, one Falcon advanced to Saturday's quarterfinal.
At 6 p.m., BGSU opened the meet with the long jump. On her second attempt in the second flight, Kiera Bonds reached 5.97 meters. That mark ranked 25th overall and capped an impressive season for the junior. Earlier in the year, she set the school record in the event and earned Second Team Indoor All-MAC honors.
A few minutes later, the starter's pistol fired for the 1,500 meters.
Through three laps, Kylee Cubbison was in a dogfight. The senior found another gear on the final lap, fending off eight other runners to secure her spot in the quarterfinal. Her time of 4:16.97 was just over a second off her school record.
As the sun set at the University of Kentucky Track and Field Facility, Rachael Hoover approached the starting line for the 800 meters. After a tough race, she crossed the finish line in 2:09.35. It was Hoover's first NCAA East Prelim and concluded a decorated sophomore season in which she became a MAC champion, shattered program records and earned All-MAC honors.
The Falcons return Saturday at 5:15 p.m. for the 1,500-meter quarterfinal. Bianca Staples will cap the meet with the triple jump at 6 p.m.
