Mizzou stars Schweizer, Jacobs to return to Hayward Field for Prefontaine Classic
Former Mizzou stars Karissa Schweizer and Gabi Jacobs will make their return to Eugene, Oregon, this weekend for the Prefontaine Classic, and other track and field news.
Mizzou legend Karissa Schweizer participates in an interview after winning the USATF women’s 5,000-meter championship title May 1 in Indianapolis. Schweizer and fellow Mizzou alum Gabi Jacobs will compete in the Prefontaine Classic this weekend in Eugene, Oregon.
The Prefontaine Classic has been a staple in the track and field world since 1975. Named after Olympian Steve Prefontaine after his tragic passing, it provides a platform for elite domestic and international athletes to square off, routinely producing world-class performances in the process.
In this year’s edition, two Mizzou aluma will take part in the iconic meet at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Mizzou legend Karissa Schweizer is primed for the women’s 2-mile race, which is set for 3:20 p.m. Central on Saturday. Schweizer has led a stellar year thus far, as the six-time NCAA title-winner won the USATF women’s 5,000-meter championship May 1 in Indianapolis.
With her national win, Schweizer qualified for the World Athletics Road Running Championships that take place Sept. 19 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Competing on her sixth Team USA squad, Schweizer also faced off in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships on Jan. 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, aiding the United States to a fourth-place finish.
In her first competition since the World Athletics Championships last September in Tokyo, former Mizzou star Gabi Jacobs will contend in the women’s discus, which launches at 10:07 p.m. Central on Friday.
Jacobs, who worked at Columbia staple Pizza Tree through her Mizzou career, is currently sixth on the American all-time list in discus. As a Tiger, she became a two-time NCAA first-team All-American and secured a pair of Southeastern Conference discus titles.
Schweizer and Jacobs are no strangers to Hayward Field, either. Schweizer closed each of her collegiate seasons in Eugene (2014-2018), and Jacobs made an appearance in 2018.
Hickman alum Gibbens wins 10,000 at Portland Track Festival
Hickman alum Chandler Gibbens snagged the 10,000-meter run title at the Portland Track Festival on June 20, narrowly defeating a pro field in 27 minutes, 55.08 seconds.
With his personal-best time, Gibbens is in a prime position to qualify for the USATF Outdoor Championships, which will take place July 23-26 at Icahn Stadium in New York City.
Although USATF has yet to release qualifying standards, Gibbens’ new benchmark is among the best finishes by an American in the past year, meaning odds are in his favor.
During his tenure as a Kewpie from 2015-19, Gibbens found his way into the record book three times, setting the school record in the 2-mile and as a leg in the 4x800 and distance medley.
Leacock earns 400 hurdles title at Trinidad & Tobago Championships
Mizzou sprinter Dillon Leacock secured the 400 hurdles national title at the Trinidad & Tobago Championships on June 21 in Port of Spain. Leacock, who highlighted MU’s sprint discipline last season, clocked 51.24 to take first.
Leacock capped his outdoor season at the NCAA West First Round in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he took 16th in 50.37. Earlier in the year, Leacock snagged the 400 hurdles title at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.
Departures
After a historic career at Mizzou, Drew Rogers announced his commitment to New Mexico on Friday. After a tenure that included a pair of SEC titles and four program records, Rogers will join the Lobos with two years of eligibility remaining.
Rock Bridge alum Andrew Hauser announced his commitment to Saginaw Valley State on Monday. Though his Mizzou career wasn’t too flashy, with the Bruins, Hauser secured two cross country titles (2022 and 2023) and two track and field titles (2021 and 2023).
Finn Russell is departing for La Salle after 2½ years at Mizzou, while Andrew Simard is on the move to Bryant.
New faces
Mizzou signed Illinois State transfer Ryan Schaefer, a multi-event specialist. This past season, Schaefer finished second in the heptathlon in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships and he was named the American Conference Runner of the Year in 2025.
Sprinter Jake Applegate is joining the Tigers from Pima Community College. During the outdoor season, Applegate placed 10th in the men’s 110 hurdles at the NJCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.