What a stretch it’s been for college sports fans across the country, with standout performances and historic milestones leaving their mark over the past week! From Kansas’ electric start at the Big 12 Championship in Greensboro, to Colorado School of Mines’ best golf finish of the season in Stockton, and San José State’s unprecedented three-peat as the Mercury News’ Best College Sports Team, there’s no shortage of stories to keep fans buzzing.
Let’s dive right in with the Kansas Jayhawks women’s swimming and diving squad, who kicked off their Big 12 Championship campaign in style at the Greensboro Aquatic Center on February 24, 2026. The Jayhawks wrapped up day one with two season-best relay times and 148 points, landing them in sixth place in the team standings. Head coach Clark Campbell was upbeat about the team’s opening performance, stating, “Our start was solid. Both relays achieved new seasonal-best times and the team diving was able to finish strong. We’ll keep increasing our momentum on day two.”
The highlight of the night? Kansas’ 200-yard medley relay team—senior Lydia Lafferty, junior Ryan Johnston, sophomore Anna Gearhart, and freshman Sarah Blake—clocked in at 1:39.08, good enough for a fourth-place finish. Not to be outdone, the 800-yard freestyle relay squad—sophomore Gabi Dyer, freshman Ivy Solt, junior Bradie Ward, and senior Hailey Farrell—grabbed fifth with a time of 7:14.45. On the diving board, junior Shiyun Lai, senior Lize Lukas van Leeuwen, and freshman Kelly Estebo combined for 243.10 points, earning seventh in the team diving event.
With the action far from over, Kansas returns to the pool on February 25 for a jam-packed day of preliminary events at 10 a.m. CT, followed by finals at 6 p.m. CT. Diving preliminaries are set for 11:30 a.m. CT each day, leading into the evening’s finals. Fans eager to keep tabs on the Jayhawks can catch live updates via the official Kansas Swim and Dive X account and stream the action on ESPN+.
Looking ahead, the Big 12 Championship schedule is a swimmer’s dream, featuring a relentless lineup: Wednesday brings the Women’s 1-meter Dive, 500-yard Freestyle, 200-yard IM, and 50-yard Freestyle. Thursday heats up with the 100-yard Butterfly, 400-yard IM, 200-yard Freestyle, Women’s 3-meter Dive, and the 4x100 Medley Relay. Friday’s slate includes the 200-yard Butterfly, 100-yard Breaststroke, 100-yard Backstroke, and 200-yard Freestyle Relay, while Saturday promises a dramatic finish with the 200-yard Backstroke, 100-yard Freestyle, 1650-yard Freestyle, 200-yard Breaststroke, Women’s Platform Diving, and the 400-yard Freestyle Relay. There’s no question—momentum is building, and the Jayhawks are right in the thick of it!
Meanwhile, out west in Stockton, California, the Colorado School of Mines men’s golf team celebrated their best finish of the season at the RJGA Visit Stockton Regional Preview. On February 24, 2026, the Orediggers surged from a tie for sixth overnight to finish tied for fourth, thanks to a stellar one-under team score of 287 in the final round, bringing their tournament total to +5. This performance marked a significant leap for the squad, who now find themselves in the upper echelon of collegiate golf competition this spring.
Leading the charge was Liam Allan, who fired a two-under 70 and finished tied for seventh overall at -3. Allan’s afternoon was nothing short of exhilarating—at one point, he was tied for the lead after a dramatic birdie-eagle run on holes 15 and 16. Teammate Lukas Taggart wasn’t far behind, carding a 71 to finish tied for 29th at +3. Taggart made one of the day’s biggest leaderboard jumps, leaping 27 spots thanks to his eagle-birdie sequence on holes 11 and 12.
Colt Tenpenny, steady as ever, matched his Monday round with a 73 to tie for 23rd at +2. Lucas Schulte also posted a 73, moving up 10 spots to finish T32 at +4. Rounding out the scoring, Carter Lolli shot a 76 and ended T58 at +7. The Orediggers’ aggressive approach paid off—they tied for the lowest scoring average on par 3s (3.05), led by Tenpenny at -3, and registered the second-lowest average on par 5s (4.68), with Allan setting the pace at -5.
The Reserve at Spanos Park, the tournament venue, will host the NCAA West/South Central Regional in May, giving Mines a valuable first look at the challenging layout. Western Washington’s Rex Wilson claimed medalist honors at -5 with a final-round 67, just a shot ahead of a five-way tie for second at -4, with Allan in the mix all afternoon. The Orediggers now set their sights on the Las Vegas Desert Classic in Boulder City, Nevada, hoping to build on their Stockton momentum.
Shifting gears to the Bay Area, there’s a different kind of celebration brewing at San José State University. On February 24, 2026, San José State Athletics was named the Best College Sports Team by Mercury News readers for the third consecutive year—a feat never before achieved. This recognition caps a remarkable four-year run defined by record-breaking athletic performance, academic achievement, and a professional pipeline that keeps churning out stars.
Jeff Konya, SJSU’s Director of Athletics, summed up the pride and determination fueling Spartan success: “San José State has become a destination university for both athletics and academics, built on the grit, resilience, and relentless work ethic of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. This historic recognition reflects the countless hours of preparation, sacrifice, and commitment that happen behind the scenes every day. To be honored by the readers of the Mercury News is a powerful testament to the determination and pride that define Spartan Athletics. We look forward to carrying this momentum into the spring and through the fall as we continue to raise the standard.”
There’s no shortage of highlights from the “All Spartans” era. The department notched its highest-ever LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup finish—85th nationally in 2024—and earned the NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl. On the gridiron, the Spartans made history with three consecutive bowl appearances. Women’s golf brought home Mountain West Championships in 2022 and 2024, with Lucia Lopez Ortega named Mountain West Golfer of the Year in 2025 and finishing as NCAA National Champion runner-up. Men’s water polo captured WCC titles in 2023 and 2025, while baseball, gymnastics, and women’s soccer all secured recent conference crowns.
San José State’s “Pro Factory” is humming, too, with alumni like Nick Nash (NFL Commanders), Natasha Andrea Oon (LPGA), and Charles McAdoo (MLB Blue Jays) making waves in the pros. Academically, the department set a record collective GPA of 3.270 in Fall 2025, with 70% of student-athletes maintaining a 3.0 or higher—a testament to the program’s commitment on and off the field.
With championship seasons underway and more action on the horizon, college sports fans have plenty to watch. Whether it’s the Jayhawks chasing Big 12 glory, the Orediggers hunting for more golf hardware, or the Spartans setting new standards, these programs are proving that the drive for excellence is alive and well. Stay tuned—this spring promises even more unforgettable moments!