T&F Preview: Saskatchewan ready to welcome 2026 CW Track and Field Championships

Feb. 19, 2026 - The University of Saskatchewan is ready to host the 2026 Canada West Track & Field Championships this weekend, as student-athletes from nine schools vie for the podium in both team and individual events.

The two-day event kicks off this Friday at the Saskatoon Field House, with action wrapping up on Saturday.

Fans can catch all the action live on Canada West TV - Powered by BioSteel.

The host Huskies will look to continue their dynasty in the women's competition. The Dogs have captured the past seven women's championships dating back to 2018.

On the men's side, the Manitoba Bisons have also dominated the event in recent seasons. They'll look to extend their CW championship streak to five straight ahead of hosting U SPORTS nationals later next month.

This year's competition includes competitors from Regina, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Lethbridge, Alberta, Trinity Western, UBCO, Victoria and Manitoba.

To stay up-to-date on the weekend's events, visit the championship homepage for schedule and live scoring information.

Multiple CW programs feature in latest U SPORTS Rankings

Saskatchewan enters as the highest nationally ranked Canada West women's program, placing third in the latest rankings unveiled on Feb. 17. Calgary is right behind in fourth, while Alberta (5), Regina (6) and Victoria (8) are also top ten.

On the men's side, Alberta is the top-ranked Canada West side, sitting second in the nation and trailing only Guelph. Manitoba is fourth, while Calgary is sixth.

Student-Athletes to Watch

Victoria Vikes: Victoria’s depth on the track has been on full display this season, led by distance standout Madelyn Eybergen. The reigning U SPORTS cross country national champion has seamlessly carried that success indoors, winning the women’s 3000m at the University of Washington Preview in a blazing 9:08.90. That performance earned an automatic U SPORTS qualifier and established Eybergen as one of the top distance threats in the country heading into championship weekend.

Calgary Dinos: Few athletes in the nation command attention like combined events star Sienna MacDonald. The fifth-year Dino has delivered another dominant season, posting U SPORTS-leading marks in the pentathlon and long jump while continuing her excellence in the hurdles. Already the winner of six Canada West gold medals, MacDonald has already recorded multiple U SPORTS auto standards this season and remains a perennial favourite whenever she steps onto the track or runway. She'll look to top her season best pentathlon score of 4394. On the men's side, Noel Vanderzee will look to defend his title in high jump. His season best mark is 2.08m, topping the conference and placing him fourth in the nation.

Saskatchewan Huskies: Rookie sprinter Hailee Woodhouse has emerged as one of the breakout athletes of the season for the Huskies. Woodhouse stunned the field at the Sanderson Classic, winning the women’s 300m in 38.47 seconds, which is now the second fastest time in U SPORTS this season. The performance also set a new U20 provincial record and secured an automatic national qualifier, firmly establishing her as a podium contender in her first conference championship. The Huskies have also set the top 4x200m time in the nation so far this season. Nathan Pinno will be a medal favourite in shot put with his season best mark sitting at 17.41m, tops in the conference and good for second in the nation this season.

Regina Cougars: The Cougars sport the nation's leading 4x200m relay time of 1:26.32, narrowly edging second place Manitoba by 14 milliseconds. Ian Teichler and Brett MacLean will be pushing for the podium in the men's 1500m. On the women's side, Shelaine Pritchard will look to push Calgary's Sienna MacDonald for the top spot in Pentathlon, with her season best 4180pts ranking second in U SPORTS.

Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas: Pole vaulter Rachel Grenke has been the top performer in the conference so far this season, with her best mark a 4.06m - good for second in the nation. Middle-distance specialist Clay Grattidge continues to set the standard in the men’s 600m. The defending Canada West champion captured gold at the Golden Bears Open with a meet-record time of 1:18.61, the second-fastest mark in the nation this season. With championship experience and elite closing speed, Grattidge enters the weekend as one of the conference’s most reliable medal threats.

Manitoba Bisons: Sprinter Tyrell Davis has rewritten the Bisons record books this winter. The fourth-year athlete shattered the program record in the men’s 60m with a time of 6.60 seconds at the Golden Bears Open, the second-fastest performance in U SPORTS this season. Davis is the only Bison besides former national champion Jordan Soufi to dip under 6.70, making him a must-watch in the short sprints. In triple jump, Daxx Turner has led the way with a nation-leading best jump of 16.05m and is undefeated at Canada West Championships in his four previous appearances. Lara Denbow will be a top medal contender on the women's side, currently leading the nation in high jump with a top clear of 1.80m.

Lethbridge Pronghorns: Jinaye Shomachuk has delivered one of the most remarkable throwing seasons in U SPORTS history. The Pronghorns standout has repeatedly set the national lead in the women’s weight throw, with her best mark 21.67m at the Bison Classic earlier in January. That distance far surpasses the conference record of 19.89m set by former Pronghorn Heather Steacy in 2010-11, so a similar performance will see Shomachuk etch her name into the conference record books. She has paired that dominance with top results in shot put, positioning herself as a double-event gold medal favourite.

Trinity Western Spartans: Pole vaulter Eduardo Martin Huerta enters championship weekend ranked first in the conference and second in the national rankings, clearing 4.90m this season.

UBCO Heat: UBCO’s middle-distance group has been anchored by Kyle Porter, who continues to lower program records at every opportunity. Porter claimed gold in the men’s 3000m at the Pandas Open with a time of 8:39.93 before adding a runner-up finish in the 1500m the following day.

U SPORTS Nationals Headed to Manitoba

Competitors will be looking to earn their spots at the 2026 U SPORTS Track and Field National Championships, to be hosted by the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg from March 5 to 7.