Men's Track and Field | 5/13/2026 11:38:00 AM
May 13, 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 1500m.
The men's 1500m prelims will be at 5:10 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 with the final set for 3:55 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. The women will run their prelims at 5:25 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 with the final scheduled for 4:05 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.
As of May 12, the best time for the men is by Damian Garcia of Chico State who ran 3:35.61 at the APU Franson Last Chance meet. West Texas A&M's Abigail Abugire has the nation's best time in the women's 1500m at 4:13.03 at the Bryan Clay Invitational but is not entered in the 1500m at the NCAA Championships. Helen Braybrook of CSU-Pueblo has the top entry time at 4:17.48 that she also ran at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
Men Prelims Thursday, May 21 at 5:10 p.m./Finals Saturday, May 23 3:55 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Reece Sharman-Newell, CSU-Pueblo 3:48.44
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Damian Garcia, Chico State 3:35.61
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Kip Cheruiyot, Mount St. Mary's 3:38.91, 1987
Welch Stadium Record: Dylan Sprecker, Pittsburg State 3:42.51, 2025 MIAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Eric Wellman, 4:17.40, 2006 12th place (3:57.00 in prelim)
ESU School Record: John Camien, 3:40.04, 1965 Compton Relays
Women Prelims Thursday, May 21 at 5:25 p.m./Finals Saturday, May 23 4:05 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Klaudia O'Malley, Grand Valley State 4:29.11
2026 Top Time: Abigail Abugire, West Texas A&M 4:13.03
2026 Top Ranked Entry: Helen Braybrook, CSU-Pueblo 4:17.48
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Emily Trost, Minn.-Duluth 4:12.64, 2017
Welch Stadium Record: Gracie Hyde, Adams State 4:16.80, 2024 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Jonel Rossbach 4:33.00, 2007 Eighth Place
ESU School Record: Kelly McCammon 4:26.20, 1986 NAIA Championships
Eric Wellman ran 4:17.40 to finish 12th in the men's 1500m at the 2006 National Championships in in Welch Stadium for Emporia State's best finish in the Division II era after running a 3:57.00 in the prelims. Jonel Rossbach has the best finish for the Emporia State women in the 1500m when she finished eighth at the 2007 National Championships at Johnson C. Smith University with a time of 4:33.00 in the final.
The Hornet men won several 1500m titles prior to joining NCAA Division II in 1991. The most notable was United States Olympian Archie San Romani who won the 1936 NCAA Championship in a time of 3:53.0 on his way to a fourth place finish in the Berlin Olympics. The last 1500m national champion for Emporia State was Roger Jennings who won the NAIA National Title in a time of 3:47.64 in 1988. Bill Tidwell in 1956, Gonzalo Javier in 1960 and John Camien in 1964 also captured NAIA National Championships in the 1500m for the men.
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.
