Men's Track and Field | 5/14/2026 1:04:00 PM
May 14, 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 5000m.
The men's 5000m final is set for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 23 with the women to follow at 6:55 p.m. on Zola Witten Track.
As of May 12, Colorado School of Mines holds the top mark for both the men and women. Dawson Gunn ran 13:36.23 at the Stanford Invitational to lead the men while Grace Strongman ran 15:47.89 at the Bryan Clay Invitational for the top woman's time.
Men Finals Saturday, May 23 6:30 p.m.
2025 National Champion: William Amponsah, West Texas A&M 14:26.23
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Dawson Gunn, Colorado School of Mines 13:36.23
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Vincent Kiprop, Missouri Southern 13:48.88, 2017
Welch Stadium Record: Charles Mulinga, Lewis, 14:00.61, 1995 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Jermaine Mitchell, 15:13.40, 1995 11th place
ESU School Record: David Kipelio, 14:02.56, 1990 Finland
Women Finals Saturday, May 22 6:55 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Tristian Spence, Adams State 16:16.11
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Grace Strongman, Colorado School of Mines 15:47.89
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Ida Narbuvoll, U-Mary 15:37.50, 2021
Welch Stadium Record: Florence Uwajeneza, West Texas A&M 16:33.00, 2024 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Jonel Rossbach 16:52.28, 2008 National Champion
ESU School Record: Jonel Rossbach 16:52.28, 2008 National Championships
Jonel Rossbach won the women's 5000m national championship for Emporia State in a school record time of 16:52.28 at the 2008 championships at Cal Poly Pomona. Jermain Mitchell is the highest placing Hornet man when he placed 11th in a time of 15:13.40 at the 1995 National Championships in Welch Stadium.
In the pre-Division II era John Camien won the 1964 NAIA Championship in the 5000m with a then NAIA meet record of 14:25.0 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
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.
