THIS WEEK
Long Beach State opens the 2026 indoor track and field season at the New Mexico Team Open, hosted by the University of New Mexico, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30–31. The two-day meet marks the season opener for the Beach as they begin a new indoor campaign in Albuquerque.
The field for the New Mexico Team Open features a strong mix of Division I and Division II programs, including Adams State, Angelo State, Azusa Pacific, Colorado Mesa, CSU Pueblo, Eastern New Mexico, Fort Lewis, Long Beach State, Lubbock Christian, New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands, New Mexico State, North Texas, Northern Colorado, Ohio State, Oklahoma Baptist, Pepperdine, Prairie View A&M, Stanford, Trinidad State, UC Colorado Springs, Utah, UT Rio Grande Valley, Wayland Baptist, and West Texas A&M.
THE STARTING GUN
Friday, Jan. 30
Field • 3:30 p.m. • Track • 3 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31
Field • 9:45 a.m. • Track • 9:45 a.m.
Albuquerque Convention Center – Albuquerque, N.M.
Live Stats // Live Video
LOOKING AT THE BEACH
Long Beach State enters the 2026 indoor season coming off strong performances at last year’s MPSF Championships. The Beach men finished second in the team standings with 124 points, highlighted by multiple scorers in the jumps and throws. Quinten Flowers led the way in the triple jump with a third-place finish at 48-11, while Tola Spencer placed fifth and TJ Funches seventh in the same event. Jaylon Wells added valuable points with a fourth-place finish in the shot put at 54-4.
On the women’s side, the Beach placed third overall with 100 points. Trinity Barnett delivered one of the top performances of the meet, repeating as MPSF champion in the 60 meters while lowering her own school record to 7.27. Her time ranked 33rd nationally in Division I. Long Beach State’s depth across sprints, jumps, and throws once again positioned the Beach among the top programs in the conference.
NEW LEADERSHIP AT THE BEACH
The 2026 indoor season also marks a new era for Long Beach State Track and Field with the promotion of LaTanya Sheffield to Director of Track and Field and Cross Country.
An Olympian and former American record holder, Sheffield enters her 13th season at Long Beach State and her fourth leading both the men’s and women’s programs. During the 2025 season, Sheffield coached a standout sprint and hurdle group, guiding Tristyn Flores to school records in the men’s 100 and 200 meters, Rahni Turner to a new program mark in the 100-meter hurdles, and Sofia Lavreshina to school records in both the 400 and 400-meter hurdles. Turner earned Big West Athlete of the Year honors, while Lavreshina was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.
Sheffield’s impact extends well beyond the collegiate level. She served as Head Women’s Coach for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, captaining the sprinters and hurdlers as Team USA collected seven gold medals, five silvers, and four bronzes. Her recent honors include the 2024 City of Long Beach Mayor’s Fund Legacy Award and the 2025 Century Club Co-Coach of the Year award.
Adding to the Beach coaching staff is Brittney Reese, one of the most decorated long jumpers in track and field history. A seven-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, Reese joins Long Beach State as an assistant coach, working primarily with the jumpers and multi-event athletes. Her championship experience and technical expertise bring an elite pedigree to the program as the Beach looks to elevate its national presence.
STAYING SOCIAL
Follow Long Beach State Track and Field on Twitter @LBSUTrackXC and Instagram @lbsutrackxc. Stay up to date on all Beach Athletics by following @LBSUAthletics on social media. Use the hashtag #GoBeach throughout the season.