Stanford University announced on April 9 that the 131st edition of the Big Meet, its annual track and field competition against the University of California, will take place Saturday at Cobb Track & Angell Field.
The event continues a tradition that began in 1893, marking one of the oldest college track rivalries. The meet provides an opportunity for both universities to showcase their athletic talent and celebrate longstanding sports traditions.
The series began as the “First Intercollegiate Field Day” at San Francisco’s Olympic Club Grounds. In that first meeting, Stanford won three events but California claimed overall victory in what was then a men’s-only competition. Since then, Cal leads the men’s all-time record with a score of 75-53-2, while Stanford leads on the women’s side with a record of 30-15 since women began competing in 1980. The Stanford women have won each of the past three matchups; meanwhile, Cal’s men have secured four consecutive victories.
Last season at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley, Cal took home a win in the men’s events by a score of 95-65. The Cardinal women achieved an 87-72 victory. Four new meet records were set during last year’s event: Sophia Kennedy ran a time of 4:15.93 in the women’s 1500 meters; Johnny Goode set a new mark in the men’s 400 meters; Mykolas Alekna broke the record for men’s discus; and Caisa-Marie Lindfors also set a new standard.
This year marks the sixth Big Meet for both head coaches: J.J. Clark serves as Stanford’s Franklin P. Johnson Director of Track and Field/Cross Country, while Robyne Johnson is Cal’s Director of Track and Field/Cross Country.
Competition begins at noon with the Men’s Hammer Throw and continues with track events starting at 1:15 p.m., opening with the Women’s 3000-meter Steeplechase. A senior recognition ceremony for Stanford’s Class of 2026 is scheduled for later in the afternoon.
Live results will be available online at rt.trackscoreboard.com, and fans can follow updates on Twitter/X via @StanfordXCTF.
