Meagan McKibben Signs with NM Highlands

By Don Eskins

Carlsbad High’s Meagan McKibben, who competes with the Cavegirl track and field team, has signed a letter of intent to compete collegiately in 2026-27 with the New Mexico Highland University Cowgirls.

NMHU sponsors NCAA Division II Athletics and is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

McKibben, a senior and part of the Cavegirl track and field program since her freshman year, competes this year in the 300 yard hurdles and the long jump. She’s also a member of the 4x400 relay team.

The CHS trackster said New Highlands’ location, its track and field staff, and its proximity to Carlsbad had everything to do with her signing with the Cowgirls.

“We were touring the area around Las Vegas this past summer, the site of New Mexico Highlands, and I just fell in love with it. It’s beautiful there,” said McKibben. “While there, I decided I wanted to visit New Mexico Highlands, and I’m so glad I did.

“Besides checking out the university, I got to meet with the track coaches, headed by coach Bob DeVries,” she said. “Coach DeVries sold me on his program. He made me feel welcome right away, so I decided then that New Mexico Highlands would be a good fit for me.”

According to McKibben, there were also two more very important reasons.

“I really didn’t want to go to a university that’s too far from home,” she said. “The fact that Las Vegas is only 230 miles from Carlsbad, and that I also have family in the Las Vegas area, made it even more attractive to me.”

After discussing her role at NM Highlands with coach DeVries, McKibben says she expects to compete in the triple jump and 400 hurdles as a Cowgirl.

“At least that’s what things look like for me right now,” she said. “They don’t run the 300 hurdles in college, so if I go that route, I’ll be running them at 400 yards.”

The Cavegirl, soon to be Cowgirl, said Carlsbad High’s track program, under the direction of head coach Charles Millar, has prepared her well for competition at the next level.

“Coach Millar, along with coaches Cale Sanders, Raul Dominguez, and Brynlee Gossett, have created a very positive environment for us,” she said. “They push, encourage, and welcome questions from us about our events. Their help and expertise keep us working hard to get better every day.”

“One of our top athletes in the Cavegirl track program since her freshman year, Meagan is a great kid and works really hard to excel,” said coach Millar. “I can’t wait to see the amount of success she has at the next level.”

Meagan, the daughter of Jill and Terry McKibben, also competed in Cavegirl soccer and is a member of Educators Rising and the National Honor Society.

At New Mexico Highlands, she plans to double major in Exercise Science and Elementary Education.