Men's Track and Field | 5/7/2026 10:32:00 PM
May 7, 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 hammer.
The men's hammer will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 with the women set to follow at 3:30 p.m.
As of May 7, Pittsburg State's Jack Haukap has the best mark with a throw of 70.26 (230-6) at the UCM Mule Relays for the men while defending champion Ben Haas of Hillsdale is second with a mark of 69.28m (227-3) at the Hillsdale College GINA Relays. Defending champion Lily Novacek of Neb.-Kearney threw 66.44m (218-0) at the Jo Meaker Classic to lead women this season.
Men Thursday, May 21 at 12:30 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Ben Haas, Hillsdale 66.31m (217-06)
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Jack Haukap, Pittsburg State 70.26m (230-06)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Austin Combs, Findlay 71.99m (236-01) 2021
Welch Stadium Record: Tanner Berg, Reliabank 76.31m (250-04) 2025 Midwest Classic
Best ESU National Finisher: Eric Hoffman, 57.98m (190-03) 2005 Fifth Place
Mike Miller, 57.76m (189-06) 1998 Fifth Place
ESU School Record: Mike Giardine, 58.90m (193-03) 1998 MIAA Championships
Women Thursday, May 21 at 3:30 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Lily Novacek, Neb.-Kearney 64.26m (210-10)
2024 Top Ranked Competitor: Lily Novacek, Neb.-Kearney 66.44m (218-00)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Heavin Warner, Central Missouri 69.33m (227-05) 2016
Welch Stadium Record: Lily Novacek, Neb.-Kearney 64.54m (211-09) 2025 MIAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Laura Mayo, 57.54m (188-09) 1998 National Champion
ESU School Record: Alyssa Conway, 59.30m (194-07) 2023 KU Relays
Laura May won the 1998 national championship at SIU-Edwardsville for the best women's finish for Emporia State. Eric Hoffman and Mike Miller share the top national finish for the Emporia State men. Miller was fifth in 1998 at SIU-Edwardsville while Hoffman finished fifth in 2005 at Abilene Christian.
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.
