Men's Track and Field | 5/6/2026 8:43:00 PM
May 6, 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 discus.
The men's discus will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22 with the women set to follow at 4:30 p.m.
As of May 6, Missouri Southern's Jamale Williams has the best mark with a throw of 59.86m (196-5) at the Pitt State Tune-up for the men while Kristina Rakocevic of Azusa Pacific went 53.96m (177-0) to win the PacWest Conference Championship.
Men Friday, May 22 at 1:30 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Owen Fraser, Missouri S&T 59.29m (194-6)
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Jamale Williams, Missouri Southern 59.86m (196-05)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Moaz Ibrahim, Texas A&M-Commerce 61.21m (200-10) 2022
Welch Stadium Record: Doug Reynolds, Unattached, 61.90m (203-01) 2003 ESU Twilight Qualifier
Best ESU National Finisher: Jason Stuke, 57.72m (189-04) 1998 Runner-Up
ESU School Record: Jason Stuke, 60.90m (199-10) 1998 Missouri Southern Last Chance
Women Friday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Erika Beistle, Grand Valley State 65.05m (213-05)
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Kristina Rakocevic, Azusa Pacific 53.96m (177-00)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Erika Beistle, Grand Valley State 65.05m (213-05) 2025
Welch Stadium Record: Jessica Maroszek, Unattached 61.21m (200-10) 2015 ESU Spring Open
Best ESU National Finisher: Rachel Goetz 47.60m (156-02) 2004 Fourth Place
ESU School Record: Kara Brockmeier, 49.93m (163-10) 2002 MIAA Championships
2026 ESU Provisional Qualifier: Madison Vermetten, 45.65m (149-09) Ranked 51st nationally ESU Midwest Classic
Jason Stuke has the top national finish for the Emporia State men. He was the national runner-up in 1998 at SIU-Edwardsville. Rachel Goetz was fourth at the 2004 national championships at Cal Poly Pomona for the best women's finish for Emporia State.
Madison Vermetten threw 45.65m (149-9) at the ESU Midwest Classic to hit the provisional mark for the Emporia State women and is ranked 51st in the nation.
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.
