The 2026 Division I men's and women's outdoor track and field championships will see 12 returning champions attempting to defend their titles. Here's a look at who's trying to repeat when the championships hit Eugene, Oregon.
Women's 100h: Aaliyah McCormick | Oregon
When it comes to hurdles, Aaliyah McCormick has been running the show. She followed up her 2025 outdoor 100 hurdles title with a 2026 indoor 60 hurdles title this winter. She's in great shape to make it three titles in a row across seasons after running 12.44 (+2.0) in the west quarterfinals — the seventh-fastest time in NCAA history.
Men's 110h: Ja'Kobe Tharp | Auburn
Ja'Kobe Tharp swept the 60 and 110 hurdles last year and will try to complete a back-to-back season sweep in Eugene. He'd be the first to do so since Florida Gator Grant Holloway's three-year sweep from 2017-19. Tharp would be the third collegian to pull of a two-year sweep of the hurdles since 1980, joining South Carolina's Terrence Trammell who did so from 1999-00.
Speaking of Holloway, Tharp is also eyeing Holloway's collegiate record of 12.98 seconds after running 13.05 seconds to win last years 110 hurdles title and tying that time twice this year at his last two meets.
Women's 200m: JaMeesia Ford | South Carolina
JaMeesia Ford has won an NCAA title in every year of her college career since bursting onto the scene as a freshman in 2024. Ford won the 2024 indoor 200 and 2025's outdoor 200. Ford's best shot to keep her winning ways going might be in the 200 meters, even while also running in the 100 meters.
Ford ran her personal-best of 21.98 seconds to win last year's title. Another sub-22 performance could be what it takes for her to win it all.
Men's 400m: Samuel Ogazi | Alabama
43.82. 43.95. 44.02.
Those are the 400 meter times Samuel Ogazi clocked in the month of May, descending from his most recent race. Ogazi is the most consistent and fastest runner in the country and will be the favorite entering Eugene. He'll also be on collegiate record watch as Michael Norman's 43.61-second finish from 2018 is within reach.
Men's 5000m: Brian Musau | Oklahoma State
Brian Musau swept the 5000 meters in 2025 but ran only one race indoors this year, and that was a DNF. However, the Oklahoma State standout is back outdoors after a 13:44.78 finish in the west region. While that time was only the 17th-fastest time run across the east or west regions, Musau remains a threat to defend his title with a PR of 13:11.29 that would slot him as No. 2 in the NCAA this season.
Women's 5000m and 10,000m: Pamela Kosgei | New Mexico
Pamela Kosgei pulled off a distance double last year as a freshman, but she'll be the underdog entering her sophomore year. That's because another freshman has replicated Kosgei's rookie-year success, Jane Hedengren of BYU. Alabama's Doris Lemngole, the first sub-9 steeplechaser in NCAA history, is also running the 5K.
Kosgei will have her work cut out for her as she attempts to go back-to-back in two events, but she's still in great shape, running the No. 2 all-time 10K and No. 6 all-time 5K this season.
Men's High jump: Arvesta Troupe | Ole Miss
Arvesta Troupe has flown under the radar this season, finishing only 10th at SEC championships with a season-best 2.17m jump. However, the defending men's high jump champion saved his best jump for last in 2025, PR'ing at 2.27 meters to win last year's title. Troupe could be shaping up to do the same in 2026.
Men's Triple jump: Brandon Green Jr. | Oklahoma
Brandon Green Jr. PR'd with a 16.96m jump at SEC championships before landing a 16.74m jump in the west region to secure his title defense attempt in Eugene. Green hasn't yet broken 17 meters during his college career, but he could reach a new best with a title on the line.
Men's Discus: Ralford Mullings | Oklahoma
For the first time in his career, Ralford Mullings will enter Eugene as a potential favorite to win the men's discus. Even though Mullings doesn't have the collegiate lead entering the final site meet, it's nothing compared to beating the 13-time collegiate record holder for a title last year. As the defending champion, Mullings will be the one with the pressure to win in 2026.
Women's Pole vault: Hana Moll | Washingon
Hana Moll enters another collegiate championship where her top-two competitors are her twin sister and the record book. Moll first set the women's pole vault collegiate record to win 2025's outdoor title, breaking her sister Amanda's all-time mark. This season Hana has since reset the collegiate record twice, peaking at 4.83 meters.
Could we see Hana attempt 5.00 meters in Eugene? She's already attempted 4.92 meters at three outdoor meets this season after missing the height at indoor championships.
Women's Javelin: Valentina Barrios Bornacelli | Missouri
Valentina Barrios Bornacelli is looking to become the ninth women in NCAA history to go back-to-back in the women's javelin. She enters Eugene with the third-best javelin throw this season of 58.31m.
| Years Won | Athlete | School |
|---|---|---|
| 2023, 2024 | Rhema Otabor | Nebraska |
| 2018, 2019 | Mackenzie Little | Stanford |
| 2011, 2012 | Brittany Borman | Oklahoma |
| 2008, 2009 | Rachel Yurkovich | Oregon |
| 2005, 2006 | Dana Pounds | Air Force |
| 1996, 1997, 1998 | Windy Dean | SMU |
| 1994, 1995 | Valerie Tulloch | Rice |
| 1984, 1985 | Iris Gronfeldt | Alabama |
🧠 WHAT TO KNOW: Comparing indoor and outdoor seasons | Wind and scoring explained | Greatest venues | Best uniforms
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