Men's Track and Field | 5/16/2026 11:42:00 AM
May 16, 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 women's 100m hurdles and men's 110m hurdles.
The prelims for the men's 110m hurdles are set for 6:35 p.m. on Friday, May 22 with the final scheduled for 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. The women will run the 100m hurdles prelims at 6:50 p.m. on Friday, May 22 with the final set for 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.
As of May 12, Nolan Vancauwemberghe of Central Missouri has the top time for the men with a 13.52 to win the MIAA Championship. Patreece Clarke from New Mexico Highlands has the top mark for the women with an altitude adjusted 13.00 at the Jo Meaker Classic.
Men 110m Hurdles Prelims Friday, May 22 6:35 p.m. | Finals Saturday, May 23 4:15 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Joel Nyatusah, Pittsburg State 13.35
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Nolan Vancauwemberghe, Central Missouri 13.52
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Cordell Tinch, Pittsburg State 13.21, 2023
Welch Stadium Record: Joel Nyatusah, Pittsburg State 13.35, 2025 MIAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Andrew Etheridge, 14.02, 2011 National Champion
ESU School Record: Andrew Etheridge, 13.85, 2013 NCAA Championships
Women's 100m Hurdles Prelims Friday, May 22 6:50 p.m. | Finals Saturday, May 23 4:25 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Grace Johnson, Minnesota State 13.04
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Patreece Clarke, New Mexico Highlands 13.00 (Converted from 12.96 for altitude)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Vashti Thomas, Academy of Art 12.70, 2013
Welch Stadium Record: Denisha Cartwright, Minnesota State 12.37(W – 4.2), 2025 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Nikki Runnebaum 14.16, 2001 Sixth Place
ESU School Record: Nikki Wetstein 13.80, 2013 Sam Williams Qualifier
Andrew Etheridge won the 2011 National Championship for Emporia State with a time of 14.02 at Stanislaus State. It is the most recent individual national championship for the Hornets. Nikki Runnebaum has the top finish for Emporia State in the 100m hurdles. She ran 14.16 to place sixth in the 2001 national championships at SIU-Edwardsville.
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 begins 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.
