Men's Track and Field | 5/11/2026 10:46:00 PM
May 11, 2026-Throughout the month of May Emporia State Athletics will take a look at the 21 events that make up the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. This will include a look at the reigning national champion, the top ranked competitor this season, the NCAA championships record, the Welch Stadium record and any Emporia State athletes that have provisionally qualified for the national meet. Today we will feature the 400m.
The men's 200m prelims will be at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 with the final set for 4:35 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. The women will run their prelims at 5:55 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 with the final scheduled for 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.
As of May 11, Pittsburg State's Caden Williams has the best time for the men with a 45.61 to win the MIAA Championships in a race that featured the current top three times in the nation. West Texas A&M's Blessing Akintoye ran 51.66 that converts to 51.77 for altitude at the Jo Meaker Classic to lead the women.
Men Prelims Thursday, May 21 at 5:40 p.m./Finals Saturday, May 23 4:35 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Joshua Page, Tiffin 45.71
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Caden Williams, Pittsburg State 45.61
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Jerome Young, Saint Augustines's, 44.19, 1998
Welch Stadium Record: Joshua Page, Tiffin 45.71 2024 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Taysean Goodwin, 46.30, 2018 Sixth Place
ESU School Record: Emmanuel Dukpe, 46.29, 2025 National Championships
2026 ESU Provisional Qualifiers: Emmanuel Dukpe, 46.54, MIAA Championships
Women Prelims Thursday, May 21 at 5:55 p.m./Finals Saturday, May 23 4:45 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Tiffany Hughey, Northwest Missouri 52.03
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Blessing Akintoye, West Texas A&M 51.77 (converted from 51.66 for altitude)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Davita Prendergast, Lincoln 51.29, 2006 in Welch Stadium
Welch Stadium Record: Davita Prendergast, Lincoln 51.29, 2006 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Magali Schneider, 53.33, 1996 Third Place
ESU School Record: Magali Schneider, 53.33, 1996 NCAA Championships
2026 ESU Provisional Qualifier: None
Taysean Goodwin ran a then school record 46.30 to finish sixth in the men's 400m at the 2018 National Championships in Charlotte, N.C. Magali Schneider had the best finish for the Emporia State women in the 400m when she ran a school record 53.33 to finish third at the 1996 National Championships at UC-Riverside.
Emmanuel Dukpe ran a 46.54 at the MIAA Championships to rank 16
th in the nation in men's 400m for Emporia State.
Emporia State's Welch Stadium and Zola Witten Track will host the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It will be the fifth time that Welch Stadium has played host to the national championships.
Welch Stadium previously served as the host site for the National Championships in 1995, 1999, 2006, and 2024 with the first meet in 1995 bringing 450 student-athletes to Emporia. The 2026 meet could bring 1,000 student-athletes, nearly 200 coaches and over 100 officials to the Flint Hills over the Memorial Day weekend.
The 2026 Championships are scheduled for May 21-23. During championship week, the NCAA Committee will come to Emporia on Monday with the first practice time available on Tuesday. Wednesday of championship week will see a variety of coaches and officials' meetings before the actual competition begin on Thursday. The meet will wrap up on Saturday evening.
After playing host to the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Emporia State was the site of the 2025 MIAA Outdoor Championships. It was the seventh time Welch Stadium has served as host of the conference championships since 1997. Welch Stadium and Witten Track are back on the schedule to host the 2027 MIAA Outdoor Championships as well.
