FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -  The 2026 indoor track and field season came to an end on Saturday night at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships with Taha Er Raouy competing in the men's 3,000 meters for Eastern Kentucky University.
 
The first qualifier from EKU on the men's side since 2021, Er Raouy finished sixth in a time of 7:47.29, putting the Moroccan native in position for First Team All-American honors.
 
However, Er Raouy was ultimately disqualified after official review for stepping on/or over the curb on track two or more times.
 
"We are immensely proud of Taha and how he competed this evening in his first NCAA Indoor Championship," said head coach Cory Erdmann and associate head coach Mia Forster in a joint statement following the race. "His initial result was sixth place, but unfortunately, due to a technicality that we simply do not agree with, he was disqualified. Taha showed true grit and strength during his performance this evening. We are coming for redemption this outdoor season."
 
The Colonels now turn their attention to the 2026 outdoor season, beginning at home on March 20 with the EKU Invitational.