LA CROSSE, Wis. – Carroll Track & Field will once again be represented on the national stage as freshmen Jenna Weis and Brian Smith have earned qualification to the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, set for May 21–23 at UW-La Crosse.
The pair continues what has already been a historic first-year showing for the Pioneers, as both Weis and Smith also qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships earlier this spring. Now, they return to the national spotlight looking to cap their freshman campaigns with another strong performance, this time at the outdoor level.
Weis, a freshman from Burlington, Wis., secured her spot in the national field in the women's pole vault after clearing a school-record height of 3.90 meters (12' 9.5") at the St. Norbert Invitational on April 25. That mark places her 15th in Division III, and caps a season defined by steady progression and multiple record-breaking performances. Weis will compete in the pole vault final on Thursday, May 21 at 12:00 p.m., where she will look to make an immediate impact in her first outdoor national championship appearance.
On the men's side, freshman Brian Smith (Lake Bluff, Ill.) earned qualification in the 400 meters following a record-breaking run of 47.08 at the UW-La Crosse Final Qualifier on May 14, which was good enough for 12th in Division III. Smith has been one of the top first-year sprinters in the country throughout the season, consistently lowering his school record and rising up the national performance lists. He will compete in the 400-meter prelims on Friday, May 22 at 5:05 p.m., with the opportunity to advance to the national final on Saturday, May 23 at 2:20 p.m.
Their return to UW-La Crosse comes on the heels of valuable experience gained during the indoor championship season, where both competed against the nation's best. That experience, combined with their continued development throughout the spring, positions them well as they take on the top athletes in Division III once again.
With two freshmen leading the way, Carroll continues to build momentum at the national level, showcasing both the immediate impact and promising future of its track and field program.
Full Nationals information can be found here.
