KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its men's and women's preseason rankings for the 2026 outdoor track and field seasons, and both the Mules and Jennies Track & Field teams were picked fifth in each poll.

The Mules received 47 points while the Jennies tallied 65 points. 
 
The Pittsburg State Gorillas were picked first in both polls, while Northwest Missouri State was second in both polls. 
 
Missouri Southern, Washburn and Central Missouri concluded the coaches' top five teams on both the men's and women's preseason rankings. The complete rankings for the 2026 MIAA men's and women's outdoor track and field preseason coaches polls are listed below.   The 2026 outdoor season officially begins Friday, March 20, with MIAA teams competing in Colorado, Kansas and Missouri.  MIAA fans can view all ten men's outdoor track and field schedules at theMIAA.com/mtf and all 11 women's outdoor schedules at theMIAA.com/wtf. UCM Track & Field hosts the UCM Invitational beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field in Warrensburg. 
 
The 2026 MIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship meet is scheduled for May 1-3 in Pittsburg, Kan. Emporia State University will once again host the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, which is set for May 21-23 at the Hornets' Francis G. Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kan.

2026 MIAA MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [9] – 81 points
2. Northwest Missouri [1] – 72 points
3. Missouri Southern – 63 points
4. Washburn – 57 points
5. Central Missouri – 47 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 42 points
7. Emporia State – 36 points
8. Fort Hays State – 26 points
9. Rogers State – 14 points
10. Missouri Western – 12 points

2026 MIAA WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [10] – 100 points
2. Northwest Missouri [1] – 91 points
3. Washburn – 82 points
4. Missouri Southern – 71 points
5. Central Missouri – 65 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 56 points
7. Fort Hays State – 46 points
8. Emporia State – 34 points
9. Missouri Western – 21 points
10. Rogers State – 20 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 18 points