The Emporia State track and field teams have been selected near the middle of the pack for the 2026 outdoor season. The Hornets are picked seventh while the Lady Hornets are picked eighth. Pittsburg State was the unanimous choice in both the men’s and women’s polls coming off national championships in the indoor season receiving all but one first-place vote in both polls. The outdoor season opens for the Hornets at the Jayhawk Spring Fling at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence on Saturday.
2026 MIAA MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [9] – 81 points
2. Northwest Missouri [1] – 72 points
3. Missouri Southern – 63 points
4. Washburn – 57 points
5. Central Missouri – 47 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 42 points
7. Emporia State – 36 points
8. Fort Hays State – 26 points
9. Rogers State – 14 points
10. Missouri Western – 12 points
2026 MIAA WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [10] – 100 points
2. Northwest Missouri [1] – 91 points
3. Washburn – 82 points
4. Missouri Southern – 71 points
5. Central Missouri – 65 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 56 points
7. Fort Hays State – 46 points
8. Emporia State – 34 points
9. Missouri Western – 21 points
10. Rogers State – 20 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 18 points
