FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Calvin University was selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Preseason Poll after earning seven first-place votes, with Hope College and Trine University rounding out the top three.
The MIAA announced the preseason poll following a vote of the league’s eight head coaches. The rankings highlight a strong collection of returning conference champions, All-Region honorees, and national performers set to compete throughout the outdoor season.
1. Calvin University – 49 points (7 first-place votes)
Calvin enters the 2026 season as the defending MIAA Outdoor champion after totaling 282.5 points at last year’s conference meet, marking the program’s first title since 2017.
The Knights are led by senior Sydney Radigan, who captured the 100m dash title and earned All-Region honors in both the 100m dash and 200m dash while also earning Second Team All-America honors in the 200m with a 16th-place finish at nationals. Senior Sophie Bull adds national championship pedigree after winning the NCAA title in the steeplechase, along with a conference title and All-Region honors in both the steeplechase and 5000m run. Senior RyAnn Rohrer provides strength in the throws after winning the discus and earning All-Region honors.
Head coach Adam Haldorson, who guided Calvin to its conference championship, was named the 2026 MIAA Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year.
2. Hope College – 43 points (1 first-place vote)
Hope finished third at the 2025 MIAA Outdoor Championships with 147.5 points and brings back one of the conference’s most dynamic sprinters.
Senior Sara Schermerhorn headlines the Flying Dutch after being named the 2025 MIAA Most Valuable Outdoor Track Athlete and, most recently, the 2026 MIAA Most Valuable Indoor Track Athlete. She won the 200m and 400m dashes last season and contributed to first-place finishes in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Schermerhorn earned All-Region honors in the 200m, 400m, and 4x400m relay, along with First Team All-America honors in the 400m and Second Team recognition in the 200m.
Senior Molly Durow captured the 800m-run title and earned All-Region honors, while seniors Ava Schmidt and Sofia Fisher were part of the conference-winning 4x100m relay and earned All-Region recognition. Senior Frances Cozzens also contributed to the winning 4x400m relay and earned All-Region honors.
Hope begins a new era under head coach Jordan Bartolazzi, who takes over the program after serving as the director of track and field and cross country at Elmhurst University since 2017.
3. Trine University – 37 points
Trine finished second at the 2025 MIAA Outdoor Championships with 194 points and features strength across distance, hurdles, and field events.
Senior Bailey Puckett leads the distance group after winning the 1500m run and earning All-Region honors before securing Second Team All-America status with a ninth-place finish at nationals. Sophomore Sophia Peter claimed the 100m hurdles title, while classmate Olivia Andrews won the pole vault. Graduate student Chloe Goodrich adds depth in the distance events after earning All-Region honors in the 10,000m run.
4. Alma College – 30 points
Alma placed seventh at the 2025 MIAA Outdoor Championships with 28 points and features a strong multi-event and relay presence.
Fifth-year senior Helena Snyder highlights the group after finishing second in the high jump and third in the heptathlon last season. Juniors Lauren Brawt and Sophia Sanford also contributed to a fifth-place finish in the 4x400m relay alongside Snyder.
5. Adrian College – 24 points
Adrian finished sixth at the 2025 MIAA Outdoor Championships with 45 points and is anchored by one of the league’s top field athletes.
Sophomore Alysia Townsend was named the 2025 MIAA Most Valuable Outdoor Field Athlete after winning both the long jump and high jump at last year’s conference meet. She was also recently voted the 2026 MIAA Most Valuable Indoor Field Athlete. Townsend earned All-Region honors in both the long jump and high jump during last year's outdoor season.
Matthew Gipple will serve as acting head coach for the 2026 spring season after previously working as an assistant coach at Siena Heights since 2024.
6. Albion College – 18 points
Albion finished fifth at the 2025 MIAA Outdoor Championships with 55 points and brings back experience in relays and field events.
Sophomore Mia Czarnowski, junior Lauren Fenstermaker, and junior Alexis Ames contributed to a fifth-place finish in the 4x100m relay. Senior Leilani Casteele adds throwing experience after placing fourth in the hammer, while sophomore Riley Adams placed fifth in the javelin.
7. Kalamazoo College – 15 points
Kalamazoo reintroduces track and field for the first time since the early 1980s and looks to build momentum in its return season.
Sophomore Ava King highlights the roster after recording multiple top-five finishes during the indoor season.
Head coach Kyle Morrison continues to lead the program after taking on track and field duties in addition to his cross country role since 2019.
8. The University of Olivet – 8 points
Olivet finished fourth at the 2025 MIAA Outdoor Championships with 65 points.
Junior Aubrey Connelly leads the group after contributing to a second-place finish in the 4x400m relay and a fourth-place finish in the 4x100m relay last season. Sophomore Kenzie Gray also highlights the Comets’ roster following a strong 2026 indoor season in the weight throw and shot put.
Up Ahead
The 2026 MIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will begin with the combined events on April 20-21 and conclude with the championship meet April 30-May 1. The NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships are scheduled for May 21-24 at the Veteran's Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse, Wisconsin.