Men's Track and Field | 5/15/2026 11:39:00 AM
May 15, 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 10,000m.
The men's 10,000m final is set for 8:10 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 with the women to follow at 8:50 p.m. on Zola Witten Track to wrap up day one of the championships.
As of May 12, Julian Campos of Adams State ran 28:40.63 at the Bryan Clay Invitational to lead the men while Allison Kuzma from Colorado School of Mines as the top entry mark for the women after running 33:10.83 at the Standford Invitational.
Men Finals Thursday, May 21 8:10 p.m.
2025 National Champion: William Amponsha, West Texas A&M 29:29.41
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Julian Campos, Adams State 28:40.63
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Charles Mulinga, Lewis 28:26.56, 1995 in Welch Stadium
Welch Stadium Record: Charles Mulinga, Lewis 28:26.56, 1995 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Jurmain Mitchell, 30:46.15, 1995 National Runner-up
ESU School Record: Dennis Delmott, 30:11.04, 1970 KU Relays
Women Finals Thursday, May 21 8:50 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Brianna Robles, Adams State 34:35.98
2024 Top Ranked Competitor: Allison Kuzma, Hillsdale 33:10.83
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Sarah Porter, Western Washington 33:17.39, 2011
Welch Stadium Record: Florence Uwajeneza, West Texas A&M 34:14.47, 2024 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Jonel Rossbach 35:35.02, 2008 National Runner-Up
ESU School Record: Jonel Rossbach 35:24.81, 2008 MIAA Championships
Jonel Rossbach was the national runner-up in the women's 10,000m for Emporia State with a time of 35:35.02 at the 2008 championships at Cal Poly Pomona. Jurmain Mitchell is the highest placing Hornet man when he was the national runner-up in a time of 30:46.15 at the 1995 National Championships in Welch Stadium. He finished second to Lewis University's Charles Mulinga who set the Welch Stadium and NCAA Championship meet record that year, records that still stand 31 years later.
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 has 857 student-athletes entered with over 200 coaches representing 108 men's teams and 107 women's teams along with over 100 officials coming 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.
