INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis was voted in the preseason coaches’ poll as the choice to win the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) men’s outdoor track & field title, the league office announced on Thursday.
The preseason poll is selected by the league’s head coaches, who, per GLVC Bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their own team.
No. 1 Indianapolis
- Received nine first-place votes and 140 total points.
- Finished fourth at GLVC Championship last season and finished tied for 11th at the NCAA DII Championships.
- Coached by Brad Robinson, who enters his third year as head coach.
- Return the national champion in the 800m Josue Le Cadre, and national champion in the long jump Alex Meyer.
No. 2 Lewis
- Received four first-place votes and 136 total points.
- Claimed fifth GLVC Championship last season and tied for 19th at the NCAA DII Championships last season.
- Coached by Dana Schwarting, who enters his 19th season and is the reigning GLVC Coach of the Year.
- Return All-American Levi Graham (hammer), as well as GLVC Champions Evan Horgan (1500m, 5000m), and Brian Holmes (110 hurdles).
No. 3 Lincoln
- Received 118 total points.
- Finished second at the GLVC Championships and ninth at the NCAA DII Championships.
- Placed 34th at NCAA Division II Championship last year.
- Coached by Victor Thomas, who enters his 24th season.
- Return GLVC Champions Tajai Duffus (100m, 200m), and Malik Drummond (triple jump).
No. 4 Missouri S&T
- Received 109 total points.
- Finished third at the GLVC Championships and 16th at the DII NCAA Championships.
- Coached by Nikki Segrest who enters her first season in charge.
- Return GLVC Champion Jake Salazar-Blair (javelin)
Rounding out the poll respectively in fifth through 14th was Southwest Baptist (102 points), Maryville (92), Drury (69), Truman State (64), McKendree (47), William Jewell (39), Rockhurst (38), Quincy (34), and Illinois Springfield (26).
The complete poll and voting results can be found below.
| Place |
School |
Points (1st-place votes) |
| 1. |
Indianapolis |
140 (9) |
| 2. |
Lewis |
136 (4) |
| 3. |
Lincoln |
118 |
| 4. |
Missouri S&T |
109 |
| 5. |
Southwest Baptist |
102 |
| 6. |
Maryville |
92 |
| 7. |
Drury |
69 |
| 8. |
Truman State |
64 |
| 9. |
McKendree |
47 |
| 10. |
William Jewell |
39 |
| 11. |
Rockhurst |
38 |
| 12. |
Quincy |
34 |
| 13. |
Illinois Springfield |
26 |