EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's and women's track and field will host the 2026 Cougar Classic as the 66ers April 10-11. The 66ers logo and identity was created in celebration of the centennial of Route 66.
 
The Track and Field teams invite fans to participate in a 50/50 raffle this weekend. The proceeds from this raffle will be used to support the academic and athletic success of student-athletes. After the successful Indoor Track and Field season, the team is looking forward to a very competitive outdoor season.
 
Purchase raffle tickets here. For any questions, please contact Josh Wolfe at jowolfe@siue.edu.
 
Senior Recognition
A total of 13 seniors will be recognized throughout the Cougar Classic.
 
Men's track and field will recognize Caden Belcher (Edwardsville, Ill.), Tyler Bell (Memphis, Tenn.), Konnor Bouman (Bloomington, Ill.), Norman Mukwada (Mutare, Zimbabwe) and D'Andre Watson (Gilbert, Ariz.).
 
The women's team will recognize Kaylee Allen (Galesburg, Ill.), Aseanti Boone (St. Louis, Mo.), Ana Keller (Troy, Ill.), Cassidy Short (Sullivan, Ill.), Allison Sanders (Jonesville, Mich.), Harper Smith (Edwards, Ill.), Payton Teiffel (Benton, Ill.) and Nyah Williams (St. Louis, Mo.).
 
Setting the Field
There will be a total of 13 schools attending this years Cougar Classic, including Cuyahoga Community College, Evansville, Harris-Stowe St., Judson, Lincoln (Mo.), Lindenwood, Maryville, Mineral Area College, Missouri Baptist, Missouri-St. Louis, Saint Louis, Southern Illinois and Southern Indiana.
 
Meet Info
There will be no ticketing for the lone Friday event. 
 
Tickets for Saturday can be purchased at the gate, $8 for adults, $5 for youth 17 and under and children under three receive free admission. 
 
Parking at Ralph Korte Stadium is free and on a first come first serve basis. 
 
Schedule of Events
Day one of the Cougar Classic will start on Friday April 10 with the men's and women's hammer throw at 2:00 p.m.
 
Saturday's events will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the men's long jump, followed by the women, Discus and pole vault. Running events will start at 12:00 p.m. with the 3k steeplechase, followed by the 4x100m relay. The meet will end with the 4x400m relay around 5:45 p.m. All running events will start with the women and the men will follow.
 
Last Time Out
SIUE had two athletes finish second in the 400m hurdles at the Joey Haines Invitational (April, 4). Simon McClaine finished the men's 400m hurdles at 55.26, and Olivia Hansen finished the women's at 1:06.53. They both rank fourth in the Ohio Valley conference.
 
The Cougars also had several third place finishes at last weekend's meet. Mia Jackson finished third in the women's 100m hurdles (14.74), and Trenton Brooks finished third in the men's 100m (10.85). Others include Darius Albery in the men's javelin (52.40m), Josie Hapack in the women's shot put (11.97m) and the men's 4x100 team (Tyler Bell, Trenton Brooks, Simon McClaine and Konrad Sacha) with a time of 42.68.