Men's Track and Field | 5/17/2026 9:32:00 PM
May 17, 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 400m hurdles.
The prelims for the men's 400m hurdles are set for 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 with the final scheduled for 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. The women will run the prelims at 7:55 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 with the final set for 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.
As of May 12, Jordan Cortner of Tiffin has the top time for the men with a 50.24 at the Bryan Clay Invitational while Emiliia Tangara of West Texas A&M won the Lone Star Championship with an altitude adjusted time of 55.79 to lead the women.
Men's 400m Hurdles Prelims Thursday, May 21 7:40 p.m. | Finals Saturday, May 23 5:40 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Sean Dixon, Oklahoma Baptist 49.54
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Jordan Cortner, Tiffin 50.24
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Bershawn Jackson, Saint Augustine's 48.50, 2004
Welch Stadium Record: Ryan Hayden, Saint Augustine's 49.53, 1995 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Shawn Fairbanks, 52.98, 2001 Sixth Place
ESU School Record: Val Schierling, 50.64, 1968 USTAF in Houston, Texas
Women's 400m Hurdles Prelims Thursday, May 21 7:55 p.m. | Finals Saturday, May 23 5:50 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Brianna Green, Fresno Pacific 56.88
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Emiliia Tangara, West Texas A&M 55.79 (adjusted from 55.68 for altitude)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Tia-Adana Belle, Saint Augustine's 55.42, 2017
Welch Stadium Record: Lynnsey Dailey, Fort Valley State 57.18, 2006 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Deandra Doubrava 1:00.11, 1999 National Champion in Welch Stadium
ESU School Record: Deandra Doubrava 59.67, 1999 Drake Relays and ESU Last Chance
Deandra Doubrava won the 1999 National Championship for Emporia State with a time of 1:00.11 on Witten Track/Welch Stadium. She holds the ESU school record at 59.67 having run it at both the 1999 Drake Relays and ESU Last Chance meets. Shawn Fairbanks has the top finish for the Hornet men, running 52.98 to place sixth at the 2001 national championships at SIU-Edwardsville. Val Schierling holds the Emporia State men's record at 50.64 at the USATF Championships in Houston, Texas in 1968.
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.
