PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University men's and women's outdoor track & field teams will host the 2026 MIAA Outdoor Championships May 1-3 at the new Russ Jewett Outdoor Track & Field Complex.
 
Single day tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students/children (3-17). Three-day all session passes are available for $15. Fans can watch the 2026 MIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships live on the MIAA Digital Network. (Event will be added to the broadcast schedule later this week)
 
The 2026 MIAA Outdoor Championships start Friday (May 1) at Noon (CDT) with action in the men's decathlon followed by the women's heptathlon at 12:30 p.m. PSU Officials will conduct a formal dedication ceremony for the new facility – which hosted its first competition April 3 – following the National Anthem at 6 p.m. The final event of the day – the women's 10,000 meters – is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. (CLICK HERE for a full schedule of events)

On Saturday, the multi events resume at 11 a.m. with the full meet starting at 3:15 p.m. Championship Sunday gets under way at 11 a.m. with team champions crowned at approximately 6:35 p.m.
 
The Pitt State men enter the 2026 MIAA Outdoor Championships ranked No. 2 in the most recent USTFCCCA/NCAA Division II National Track & Field Ratings Index (TFRI). The Gorillas captured the 2026 MIAA Indoor Championships and 2026 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships titles. Pitt State is the five-time reigning MIAA Outdoor Champion (2021-25) as well as the four-time defending NCAA Division II Outdoor National Champion (2022-25).

Four other MIAA men's squads are ranked in the top 25:  Missouri Southern (No. 9), Northwest Missouri (No. 10), Nebraska-Kearney (No. 13) and Fort Hays State (No. 24).

The Gorillas are ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in 10 different disciplines entering the competition. Pre-meet favorites are: Ilias Garcia in the 100m (10.21); Kemarri Stewart in the 200m (21.02); Caden Williams in the 400m (45.89); the 4x100m Relay (39.80); the 4x400m Relay (3:08.34); Grayson Smith in the pole vault (18-0.5); Jack Haukap in the hammer throw (230-6); and Leo Chauchard in the decathlon (7282 pts.).

The Pitt State women also enter the 2026 MIAA Outdoor Championships ranked No. 2 nationally in this week's TFRI. The Gorillas captured both the 2026 MIAA Indoor Championships and the 2026 NCAA-II Indoor National Championships crowns. Pitt State is the two-time reigning MIAA Outdoor Champion; and the Gorillas placed third at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships. Four other MIAA schools join the Gorillas in the national TFRI:  No. 5 Missouri Southern, No. 15 Central Missouri, No. 21 Northwest Missouri and No. 24 Fort Hays State.
 
The Pitt State women are ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in eight disciplines, including seven pre-meet favorites:  Zyra Shivers in the 100m hurdles (13.30); the 4x400m Relay (3:43.64); Bethany Umbarger in the high jump (5-10.75); Breanne Peters in the pole vault (13-10); Jazmine Williamson in the long jump (20-7.75); Alexa Binkley in the triple jump (39-11.25); and Blakelee Winn in the heptathlon (5719 pts.).
 
This will be 98th all-time MIAA Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championships dating back to 1924. Central Missouri holds the lead among current conference members for MIAA outdoor titles with 22, while Pitt State is second with 17. The Gorillas are the five-time defending MIAA Outdoor Champions.
 
This will mark the 44th all-time MIAA Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Pitt State has claimed a conference-leading 16 MIAA outdoor titles since the meet's inception in 1982 and finished as the league runner-up eight times. UCM has finished as the conference runner-up 13 times and claimed three outdoor crowns. Pitt State is the two-time defending champion women's squad.
 
The MIAA Championships will serve as one of the final regular season meets of the 2026 outdoor campaign. Qualifiers for the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships – scheduled for May 21-23 at Emporia, Kan. – will be announced in mid-May.