2026 NCAA Track Championships: Iowa Ties and Top Predictions
The 2026 DI men's and women's outdoor track and field championships kick off this week. Fans across Iowa have plenty of reasons to tune in, as local and regional athletes gear up for the biggest stage in collegiate track. From former Hawkeyes to Big Ten champions, the Midwest brings serious firepower to Eugene. Let us dive into the event-by-event predictions.
Iowa Star Favored in Men's 800m
Former Iowa Hawkeye Rivaldo Marshall is the pick to win the men's 800 meters. Marshall last won an NCAA title in 2024 during the indoor championships while running for Iowa. A lot has changed since then, including Marshall's uniform, but his talent has not. After winning the SEC Championships, Marshall looks ready to climb back atop the NCAA podium. Iowa fans will be watching closely as he competes for the national title.
Midwest Athletes Ready to Dominate
The Midwest brings a strong contingent of contenders this year. Nebraska's Axelina Johansson is the clear favorite in the women's shot put. She holds the No. 2 throw in collegiate history and owns an outdoor NCAA title from 2023, plus this year's indoor title. Minnesota's Anthonett Nabwe is the overwhelming favorite in the women's hammer throw. Only Camryn Rogers has had a better performance, and with Rogers now a professional, the title is Nabwe's to lose.
Illinois also brings serious talent. JaiCieonna Gero-Holt is predicted to win the women's heptathlon after a runner-up finish indoors in the pentathlon. She won the Big Ten title in the combined events and can build off that performance. Jip de Greef is the national leader in the decathlon and a strong pick to bring another championship to Champaign.
Missouri's Valentina Barrios Bornacelli is favored to go back-to-back in the women's javelin. She PR'd on the biggest stage the last time she competed in Eugene. Kansas State's Tafadzwa Chikomba is the pick in the men's long jump after an impressive 8.75 meter jump this season.
Women's Track and Field Predictions
Sprints and Hurdles
- 100 meters: Shenese Walker (Florida State) ran 10.80 this season and has fresher legs since the 100m is her only individual event.
- 100 hurdles: Aaliyah McCormick (Oregon) ran 12.44 in the west region, the seventh-fastest time in NCAA history.
- 200 meters: Adaejah Hodge (Georgia) has already run 21.92 seconds, the fourth-fastest in NCAA history.
- 400 meters: Dejanea Oakley (Georgia) is favored after running sub-49 this season.
- 400 hurdles: Akala Garrett (South Carolina) ran the fastest time in the nation at regionals.
Distance and Relays
- 800 meters: Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (Arkansas) missed the NCAA record by just 0.01 seconds.
- 1500 meters: Silan Ayyildiz (Oregon) is motivated by her home crowd to break the Ducks' drought.
- 3000m steeplechase: Sophie Novak (Notre Dame) has the fastest time in the nation.
- 5000 and 10,000 meters: Jane Hedengren (BYU) is favored to sweep both distance events after setting collegiate records this season.
- 4x100 relay: Southern California ran the two fastest times in the nation.
- 4x400 relay: Arkansas has the fastest time in the nation and is tough to beat.
Field Events
- Long jump: Alyssa Jones (Stanford) landed a 7.09m jump, the No. 2 jump in collegiate history.
- Triple jump: Shantae Foreman (Clemson) has five jumps over 13.30 meters this season.
- High jump: Temitope Adeshina (Texas Tech) has cleared 1.95m this season.
- Pole vault: Hana Moll (Washington) set the collegiate record twice this season.
- Discus: Alida Van Daalen (Florida) is peaking at the right time.
Men's Track and Field Predictions
Sprints and Hurdles
- 100 meters: Kanyinsola Ajayi (Auburn) hasn't run slower than 10.00 this season when finishing through the line.
- 110 hurdles: Ja'Kobe Tharp (Auburn) has run sub-13.10 four times this season.
- 200 meters: Jelani Watkins (Arkansas) broke the school record at SECs with a 19.87-second finish.
- 400 meters: Samuel Ogazi (Alabama) has run sub-44 twice recently.
- 400 hurdles: Kody Blackwood (Texas) won the SEC title in a deep field.
Distance and Relays
- 800 meters: Rivaldo Marshall (Arkansas) brings his Hawkeye pedigree back to the top.
- 1500 meters: Simeon Birnbaum (Oregon) holds the collegiate record and is the Big Ten champion.
- 3000m steeplechase: Geoffrey Kirwa (Louisville) has put the collegiate record under serious threat.
- 5000 and 10,000 meters: Habtom Samuel (New Mexico) set the 5000m collegiate record twice and is favored to win both distance events.
- 4x100 relay: Auburn is favored to win its third straight title.
- 4x400 relay: LSU ran 2:58.47 to win the SEC Championship and has a great shot at sub-three minutes.
Field Events
- Triple jump: Brandon Green Jr. (Oklahoma) is the defending champion and looks ready to repeat.
- High jump: Kimani Jack (Georgia) has seven clearances of 2.20 meters or higher.
- Pole vault: Aleksandr Solovev (Texas A&M) is favored to go back-to-back.
- Discus: Ralford Mullings (Oklahoma) is the defending champion.
- Shot put: Ben Smith (Oregon) has cleared 20 meters at every outdoor meet this year.
- Hammer: Texas Tanner (Air Force) has finished three meets over 77 meters.
- Javelin: Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi (Texas A&M) has six throws over 80 meters this season.