Lincoln, NE - After a season of dedicated work and training, seven track and field athletes will compete with the best of the best at the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Championship meet in Birmingham, Alabama.

NEBRASKA WESLEYAN QUALIFIERS
Nebraska Wesleyan is represented by four female and three males athletes, who will compete in a variety of events ranging from throws, jumps and races. The Prairie Wolf women will see Chloe Mooberry compete in long jump. Mooberry punched her ticket with a 5.71 meter jump at the Concordia Classic in late January. Mooberry enters the meet ranked 19th nationally. NWU had two female throwers qualify, with Emmilly Berglund launching a 14.02 shot put at her first meet of the season, while Kaelyn Means' 17.16 meter throw at the SDSU Classic ranking her 20th in the country. On the track, Nebraska Wesleyan is represented by Rachel Smith, who ran a lifetime best 8.86 seconds in the 60 hurdles at the Prairie Wolf Indoor Invite. The men are led by Reed Emsick, who ranks fourth nationally in the 800 after running 1:50.29 and placing second at the A-R-C Championship meet. 2023 60 hurdle National Champion, and 2024 All-American Eli Etherton is making his return to nationals, Etherton ranks sixth nationally with a time of 7.97. Sam Clements is the lone male representative in the field, with his conference winning 17.69 meter shot put ranking him sixth in the country. 

DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD AND CROSS COUNTRY DERRICK MCKENZIE PROFILE
Derrick McKenzie is in his third season as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Nebraska Wesleyan. In his first two seasons, Nebraska Wesleyan has 33 NCAA qualifying performances, 12 NCAA All-Americans, one individual national championship and two national runner ups. The Prairie Wolves have won nine individual conference championships and broke numerous school records. Prior to being named Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, McKenzie served as an assistant coach at NWU, where he coached sprints and relays.