Men's Track and Field | 5/4/2026 5:33:00 PM

May 4, 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 triple jump.
The women's triple jump will begin at 4:45 p.m. on Friday, May 22 with the men's triple jump set for 2:15 p.m.  on Saturday, May 23.
 
As of May 4, Washburn's Justin Forde leads the nation with a mark of 16.64m (54-07.25) at the MIAA Championships. The top women's mark is 13.37m (43-10.50) by Janara Bryant of Mount Olive at the Conference Carolinas Championships.
 
Men Saturday, May 23 at 2:15 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Tre Betts, Pittsburg State 16.46m (54-00.00)
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Justin Forde, Washburn 16.64m (54-07.25)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Cervantes Jackson, Albany State 16.65m (54-07.50) 2023
Welch Stadium Record: Randy Lewis, Unattached, 17.31m (56-09.50) 2004 ESU Relays
Best ESU National Finisher: Josh Honeycutt, 15.35m (50-04.50) 2011 Fourth Place and 15.44m (50-08.00) 2010 Fourth Place
ESU School Record: Josh Honeycutt, 16.38m (53-09.25) 2009 ESU Relays

Women Friday, May 22 at 4:45 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Emy Ntekpere, Central Washington 13.33m (43-08.75)
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Janara Bryant, Mount Olive 13.37m (43-10.50)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Auna Childress, Pittsburg State 13.37m (43-10.50) 2023
Welch Stadium Record: Vanitta Kinard, Nike 13.93m (45-08.50) 2003 ESU Twilight Qualifier
Best ESU National Finisher: Brooke Kent, 12.54m (41-01.75) 2010 National Runner-Up
ESU School Record: Brooke Kent, 12.54m (41-1.75) 2010 NCAA Championship    
 
Josh Honeycutt, who won a triple jump title indoors, twice finished fourth at the outdoor championships. He went 15.44m (50-08.00) in 2010 at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, N.C. and followed it the next year with a mark of 15.35m (50-04.50) at Stanislaus State in California. Brooke Kent was the women's national runner-up with a school record mark of 12.54m (41-01.75) in 2010 at Stanislaus State.
 
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.

21 Events in 21 Days
Day One Multi Events
Day Two High Jump
Day Three Pole Vault
Day Four Long Jump