FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The 2025-26 MIAA Men’s Indoor Track and Field Preseason Poll showcases a conference rich with returning champions, record setters, and rising standouts poised to make an impact across every event group. With national qualifiers and All-MIAA performers leading several programs, the upcoming season promises another competitive race toward the conference crown. As teams gear up for the 2026 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on February 28 at Trine University, the preseason poll provides an early preview of how the conference race could unfold.

1. Trine University – 10 points (5 first-place votes)

Trine enters the season atop the preseason poll after securing its sixth-straight MIAA Men's Indoor Championship title in 2025 with 181 points.

The Thunder return junior Max Van Huis, a 2025 First Team All-MIAA honoree who swept the mile (4:15.20) and 3000m run (8:37.98) at the conference meet. Senior Matt Hoop, sophomore Drew Merritt, and junior Clay Batio all return after helping Trine to a runner-up finish in the distance medley relay with a time of 10:51.26, earning Second Team All-MIAA honors.

Head coach Ben Markison enters his second season after being named the 2025 MIAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year.

2. Calvin University – 14 points (2 first-place votes)

Calvin holds the second position in the poll following a runner-up finish at the 2025 MIAA Championships with 135 points.

The Knights return senior sprinter Koby VanderWoude, a 2025 First Team All-MIAA honoree who won the 400m dash in 50.36. VanderWoude and senior Connor Lubberts were part of last year’s First Team All-MIAA 4x400m relay that broke the MIAA record with a time of 3:21.09. Calvin also brings back junior jumper Luke Nguyen, the 2025 MIAA champion in the triple jump with a mark of 14.15m, and senior distance runner Thaine Nederveld, a 2025 Second Team All-MIAA honoree who finished as the runner-up in the mile (4:18.19).

3. Hope College – 15 points (1 first-place vote)

Hope enters the season ranked third after tallying 118 points at the 2025 MIAA Championships.

The Flying Dutchmen return senior sprinter Liam Danitz, the 2025 First Team All-MIAA honoree and MIAA Most Valuable Men's Indoor Track Athlete. Danitz set an MIAA record in the 200m dash (21.59), earned First Team All-America honors with a fifth-place national finish in the 200m (21.93), and took second in the 60m dash (6.83) for Second Team All-MIAA honors. He also contributed to a Second Team All-MIAA 4x400m relay alongside returning junior Dylan Terpstra. Senior Erickson Kunzler returns as the 800m champion after a winning time of 1:56.09, while junior Carter Dean and senior Carston Cole return from last year’s All-MIAA First Team distance medley relay squad.

Hope welcomes new head coach Jordan Bartolazzi, a four-time CCIW Track and Field Coach of the Year and former director of track and field and cross country at Elmhurst University.

4. Albion College – 30 points

Albion ranks fourth in the preseason poll after finishing fourth at the 2025 MIAA Championships with 77.5 points.

The Britons return senior sprinter Josiah Graddick, who placed eighth in the 400m dash (51.08). Junior middle-distance runner Logan Vining also returns after finishing sixth in the mile (4:20.81) and seventh in the 800m run (2:00.08). Senior jumper James Grey highlights Albion’s field event group with a fourth-place finish in the triple jump (12.94m) at last year’s conference meet.

5. Kalamazoo College – 34 points

Kalamazoo begins its first men’s indoor track and field season since the early 1980s and enters the poll in fifth place.

The Hornets will lean on senior Will Thomas, sophomores Carson Cook and Jack Schneider, and freshman Drew Abbott—all of whom were key figures during the cross country season.

Cross country head coach Kyle Morrison continues his duties as the program’s track and field head coach after joining Kalamazoo in 2019.

6. Adrian College – 35 points

Adrian sits sixth in the preseason poll after a sixth-place finish and 40.5 points at the 2025 MIAA Championships.

Fifth-year senior Asher Cousino returns as a 2025 Second Team All-MIAA honoree after placing second in the 60m hurdles (8.43) and finishing 10th in the 200m dash (23.08). Senior Will Houvener returns after placing seventh in the 3000m run (15:31.31), while senior Ethan DeBerry brings strength in the pole vault after finishing third (4.36m). Senior KJ Scott adds depth in the throws following a seventh-place performance in the weight throw (14.58m).

Adrian enters the season under new leadership following the promotion of former assistant coach Kaylie Laskody to head coach in May 2025.

7. The University of Olivet – 40 points

Olivet holds seventh in the poll following a fifth-place finish at the 2025 MIAA Championships with 52 points.

The Comets return junior thrower Owen Fremeau, a 2025 First Team All-MIAA honoree who shattered conference records in both the shot put (16.95m) and weight throw (18.88m). Fremeau also added Second Team All-America honors in the shot put after finishing 14th nationally with a throw of 16.34m. Additional returners include junior Austin Cole, who placed fifth in the shot put (13.90m) and 13th in the weight throw (13.07m), and sophomore Yrral Campbell, who finished eighth in the shot put (12.94m) and 14th in the weight throw (12.62m).

8. Alma College – 46 points

Alma rounds out the preseason poll in eighth place after finishing seventh at the 2025 MIAA Championships with 17 points.

Sophomore sprinter Aiden Aldrich returns after an impressive collegiate championship debut that included a third-place finish in the 400m dash (50.46) and seventh-place finish in the 200m dash (22.90). Senior jumper Ed Markarian also returns after placing sixth in the triple jump (12.58m) and tenth in the long jump (6.10m). Junior thrower Austin Thompson adds additional depth after finishing 11th in the shot put (12.62m).

Up Ahead

The 2026 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships will be held on Saturday, February 28, at Trine University’s Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Athletic and Recreation Center. The 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships will follow March 13–14 at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama.