Five All-American Finishes Cap Off Strong D-II Nationals Finish For Eagle Track & Field

It wasn't baseball, but Ashland University's outdoor track and field team ended up batting 1.000 on Saturday (May 23) on the third and final day of the 2026 NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships at Francis G. Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kan.
 
The Eagle men and women went a combined 5-for-5 in All-American efforts on Saturday, capping a strong showing at D-II nationals.
 
Saturday began with the seventh career D-II All-American award earned by junior thrower Molly Winner – thanks to a seventh-place finish in the women's shot put. Her fifth attempt was her top one at 15.24 meters/50-feet-0.
 
Then, in the women's 4x100-meter relay finals, the Eagle quartet of sophomores Medgine Wojton and Brianna Chenevey, freshman Alexis Wims and junior Hailey Rios all ran to their first All-American citations with a third-place finish in 44.97 seconds. That time was a school record, as the foursome accomplished the feat for the second time in three days.
 
It was on to the men's 110 hurdles next, where freshman Jon Lutz finished seventh in 14.06 seconds. Lutz earned his second All-American honor, following his 60 hurdles indoor national championship in March.
 
Graduate Brayden Jackson then turned in his second All-American effort this year in the men's pole vault, finishing fourth with a PR mark of 5.36 meters/17-feet-7.
 
Finally, in the women's 800 run, senior Jade Avance earned her sixth and final All-American plaudit by ending in third place with a PR time of 2:05.25. Her time also set a new school standard.
 
Also in the men's pole vault, sophomore Carter Smith placed in a tie for 19^th at 4.86 meters/15-feet-11¼.
 
Ashland's women finished nationals with 22 team points – compiled from just four events. That was good for 11^th place, their best outdoor nationals finish since 2019 (10^th).
 
The Eagle men had seven team points, landing them in a tie for 30^th place.