Men's Track and Field | 5/8/2026 10:45:00 PM

May 8, 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 javelin.
 
The men's javelin will begin at 12:0 p.m. on Saturday, May 23 with the women set to follow at 3:00 p.m. Two of the top three marks in Division II men's javelin history have occurred at the ESU javelin runway.
 
As of May 8, Tevz Podlipnik from Fresno Pacific's 72.05m (236-05) throw at the West Coast Relays is the top mark for the men while Missouri Southern's Keilee Johnson threw 54.70m (179-05) to win the women's MIAA Championship and lead the women.
 
Men Saturday, May 23 at 12:00 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Caleb Calvin, Pittsburg State 75.94m (249-02)
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Tevz Podlipnik, Fresno Pacific 72.05m (236-05)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Jordan Davis, Southern Connecticut State 84.45m (277-01) 2024
Welch Stadium Record: Jordan Davis, Southern Connecticut State 84.45m (277-01) 2024 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Andy Vogelsburg, 74.75m (245-03) 2006 National Champion
ESU School Record: Andy Vogelsburg, 74.75m (245-03) 2006 National Championships
2026 ESU Provisional Qualifiers: Brooks Lowe, 69.85m (229-02) ESU Midwest Classic, Ranked 8th Nationally
Grayson Walburn, 66.87m (219-05) MIAA Championships, Ranked 17th Nationally
Mitch Budke, 63.19m (207-04) ESU Midwest Classic, Ranked 32nd Nationally
 
Women Saturday, May 23 at 3:00 p.m.
2025 National Champion: Kelly Leszcynski, Bloomsburg 52.07m (170-10)
2026 Top Ranked Competitor: Keilee Johnson, Missouri Southern 54.70m (179-05)
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Allison Updike, Azusa Pacific 56.03m (183-10) 2016
Welch Stadium Record: Ann Crouse, Extreme Technique 54-10m (177-06) 2001 ESU Twilight Qualifier
Best ESU National Finisher: Joyce Burnett, 48.06m (157-08) 1997 National Champion
ESU School Record: Mele Taula, 46.84m (153-08) 2024 Gorilla Classic
2026 ESU Provisional Qualifier: Harper Schoendaller, 45.30m (148-07) MIAA Championships Ranked 22nd Nationally
 
Emporia State has won national championships in both the men's and women's javelin. Joyce Burnett won the 1997 national championship at SIU-Edwardsville with a toss of 48.06m (157-08) while using the old javelin.  Andy Vogelsburg won the 2006 national championship with a school record throw of 74.75m (245-03) competing on the Emporia State runway.
 
Emporia State has three men and one woman with provisional marks this season. For the men Brooks Lowe went 69.85m (229-2) at the Midwest Classic to rank eighth in the nation while Grayson Walburn threw 66.87m (219-5) at the MIAA Championships and is ranked 17th nationally.  Mitch Budke rounds out the Hornet men with a mark of 63.19m (207-4) at the Midwest Classic that ranks 32nd in the nation. Harper Schoendaller went 45.30m (148-7) at the MIAA Championships. 
 
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.