Two 2025-26 NCAA Indoor Champions highlight list

ROSEMONT, lll. – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2026 Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Watch List on Thursday. Preseason honors were bestowed upon 17 student-athletes, eight of whom earned First Team All-Americans from the 2025-26 Indoor season.

The list is highlighted by two NCAA Champions. Oregon’s three-time NCAA champion, Peyton Bair. Bair won two heptathlon titles (2025, 2026) and one decathlon title (2025). His 2026 title broke Ashton Eaton’s record for most points recorded in the heptathlon with 6,503.  USC’s Garrett Kaalund won the NCAA 200m title with a collegiate and American record of 19.95 seconds.  

The 2026 Outdoor Track and Field season began March 6.

Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Athletes to Watch List

Luuk Pelkmans, Illinois*  
Sean Smith, Iowa
Trelee Banks, Indiana*
Roman Spikes, Maryland
Trent McFarland, Michigan*

Dillon Morlock, Michigan State

Angelos Mantzouranis, Minnesota
Keyshawn Strachan, Nebraska
Peyton Bair, Oregon*^
DJ Fillmore, Ohio State
Allon Clay, Penn State*
Samuel Vessat, Purdue*
Donavan Anderson, Rutgers
Tamaal Myers, UCLA
Garrett Kaalund, USC*^

Jimmy Rhoads, Washington*
Matan Ivri, Wisconsin * indicates 2025-26 Indoor Track & Field First-Team All American
^ indicates 2025-26 Indoor Track & Field NCAA Champion