2026 Track & Field Roster

Elijah Palao

  • Position Distance
  • Class Sophomore
  • Hometown Slidell, Louisiana

Biography

Personal bests - as of June 22, 2026
Date Year Event Statistic Meet
Feb. 24-25 2025 800m (Indoor) 1:54.71 Sun Belt Indoor Championships
Jan. 17-18 2025 Mile (Indoor)  4:22.27 Vanderbilt Invitational
May 14-16 2026 800m (Outdoor) 1:51.98 Sun Belt Outdoor Championships
Mar. 21 2026 1500m (Outdoor) 3:58.59 LSU Opener

2026 OUTDOOR (SOPHOMORE) 
  • Competed in six meets 
  • Recorded a personal best 1:51.98 in the 800m to place ninth at the Sun Belt Outdoor Championships (May 14-16) 
  • 3:58.59 in the 1500m for a personal best and a fifth place finish at the LSU Opener (Mar. 21) 
  • Second place in the 800m (1:52.00) at the Jim Mize Invitational (Apr. 17) 
2026 INDOOR (SOPHOMORE) 
  • Did not compete
2025 CROSS COUNTRY (SOPHOMORE)
  • Competed in two meets in the 8k
  • Posted a 28:44.8 at the Lois Davis Invitational (Sept. 19) 
2025 OUTDOOR (FRESHMAN) 
  • Competed in three meets in the 800m
  • Recorded a season-best 1:56.37 to place fifth at the Leon Johnson Invitational (Apr. 12) 
2025 INDOOR (FRESHMAN) 
  • Competed in five meets 
  • Placed sixth in the 800m with a 1:55.37 time at the UAB Green and Gold Invite (Feb. 8) 
  • Opened the season with a personal best in the mile (4:22.27) at the Vanderbilt Invitational (Jan. 17-18) 
  • Recorded a sixth place finish in the 800m with a 1:55.92 time at the Sun Belt Indoor Championships (Feb. 24-25) 
NORTHSHORE HS
  • Three-year letter-winner
  • 2023 District Champion in 800m
  • Runner of the year from team in both cross country and track
  • 4:43 mile, 1:59 800m, and 16:55 5k in senior year
  • Member of Beta Club, National Honors Society, Future Farmers of America, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes 
PERSONAL
  • Born on June 9, 2006 in Fort Smith, Arkansas
  • Son of Chad and Lynda Palao
  • Has two siblings, Ryley and Sawyer
  • Enjoys playing chess, going to church, playing piano, attending bible studies, reading, playing basketball, and working out
  • Majoring in kinesiology with a pre-physical therapy concentration

Historical Player Information

  • 2025Freshman

    Distance

  • 2026Sophomore

    Distance