RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the 2026 indoor and outdoor schedules for the track & field program Friday. 
 
UTRGV begins the indoor season Jan. 10 at the Leonard Hilton Memorial hosted by Houston. The Vaqueros will compete in three indoor meets prior to the Southland Conference (SLC) meet, including the Charlie Thomas Invitational hosted by Texas A&M Feb. 6-7. They'll return to the Jarvis Scott Invitational at Texas Tech Feb. 13-14. 
 
The SLC Indoor Championships are scheduled for Feb. 25-26 at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala. Qualifying student-athletes will compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships running March 13-14 in Fayetteville, Ark. 
 
UTRGV's outdoor season begins March 20-21 at the Wes Kittley Invitational hosted by Abilene Christian. The Vaqueros will compete in four meets through the month of April, starting with the Cactus Cup at Texas A&M-Kingsville. UTRGV will make its first appearance at the Golden Hour Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla. April 17-18 before heading to Baylor for the Michael Johnson Invitational running April 24-25. The Vaqueros close out the non-conference season April 30 at Houston's Cameron Burrell Invitational. 
 
The SLC Outdoor Championships are scheduled for May 14-16 and will be hosted by Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches. Qualifying student-athletes will compete at the NCAA West First Round hosted by Arkansas May 27-30 and the NCAA Outdoor Championships hosted at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. set for June 10-13. 
 
"The 2026 schedule is designed to progress our student-athletes physically, mentally and competitively while continuing to elevate the national profile of UTRGV Track & Field," head track & field/cross country coach Shareese Hicks said. "Each major meet was selected with clear developmental intent – from early season competitive readiness to postseason execution and long-term program growth. 
 
"Competing at Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Houston and Baylor this year places our athletes in some of the most competitive indoor and outdoor environments in the country. We are exposing our athletes to national caliber fields and building our student-athlete confidence by normalizing elite performances throughout all of our event groups," Hicks continued. "Our 2026 schedule reflects our commitment to building a program that competes with confidence, purpose and consistency. By challenging our athletes in premier competitive environments, we are developing not only high-level performers, but resilient leaders prepared for success at the conference and national levels." 

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