Men's Track and Field | 5/12/2026 5:01:00 PM
May 12, 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 800m.
The men's 800m prelims will be at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22 with the final set for 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. The women will run their prelims at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, May 22 with the final scheduled for 5:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.
As of May 12, the best times in both the men's and women's 800m were run by the defending national champions at the Bryan Clay Invitational. Josue Le Cadre of Indianapolis has the best time for the men with a 1:45.09 at the meet in Azusa, Calif. West Texas A&M's Abigail Abugire ran 2:01.79 in California for the best women's time.
Men Prelims Friday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m./Finals Saturday, May 23 5:15 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Josue LeCadre, Indianapolis 1:48.16
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Josue LeCadre, Indianapolis 1:45.09
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Wes Ferguson, Neb.-Kearney 1:45.46, 2023
Welch Stadium Record: Wes Ferguson, Neb.-Kearney 1:47.84, 2024 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Thomas LaRoche, 1:53.96, 2017 12th place
ESU School Record: Bill Tidwell, 1:47.61, 1955 National AAU Championships
2024 ESU Provisional Qualifiers: None
Women Prelims Friday, May 22 at 6:15 p.m./Finals Saturday, May 23 5:25 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Abigail Abugire, West Texas A&M 2:02.93
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Abigail Abugire, West Texas A&M 2:01.79
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Skylyn Webb, UC-Colorado Springs 2:02.47, 2018
Welch Stadium Record: Alaysia Brooks, Ursuline, 2:06.07, 2024 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Katie Mona, 2:16.89, 2011 Seventh Place
ESU School Record: Katie Mona, 2:10.99, 2011 NCAA Championships (prelim)
2026 ESU Provisional Qualifier: None
Thomas LaRoche ran 1:53.96 to finish 12th in the men's 800m at the 2017 National Championships in Bradenton, Fla. for Emporia State's best finish in the Division II era. The men's school record is 1:47.61 set by Bill Tidwell at the 1955 AAU National Championships and is the oldest school record still on the books for the Hornets. Katie Mona had the best finish for the Emporia State women in the 800m when she finished seventh at the 2011 National Championships at Stanislaus State with a time of 2:16.89 after setting the ESU school record of 2:10.99 in the prelims.
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.
