KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's track and field team was ranked sixth and the men ranked seventh in the 2025 MIAA Outdoor Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday (March 28) by the league office.
After a successful 2024 outdoor campaign that saw four Tigers earn All-American honors—three from the men's team and one from the women's—the squad is gearing up for another strong season. Leading the charge for the returning athletes are sprinters Hayden Albright and Toby Wahlmeier, who aim to build on last season's momentum. Nolan Churchman (Long Jump and Heptathlon) and Jacob Clark (Pole Vault), fresh off their appearances at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships, are also primed for a big outdoor senior season.
On the women's side, record-breakers Annabeth Baalmann, Emily Diercks, and Reba Mader enter the spring with high expectations. Baalmann, who secured Second Team All-American recognition in the pole vault, will look to continue her success as the Tigers set their sights on another memorable season.
Pittsburg State ranks atop both men's and women's polls after receiving all but two first-place votes.
The recent indoor season included two All-Americans, six All-MIAA performances and seven school records. The Tigers kick off today (March 28) at the Central Nebraska Challenge in Kearney, Neb.
2025 MIAA MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [9]
2. Northwest Missouri [1]
3. Washburn
4. Missouri Southern
5. Emporia State
6. Central Missouri
7. Fort Hays State
8. Nebraska Kearney
9. Missouri Western
10. Rogers State
[#] - First Place Votes
2025 MIAA WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [10]
2. Northwest Missouri [1]
3. Washburn
4. Missouri Southern
5. Central Missouri
6. Fort Hays State
7. Nebraska Kearney
8. Missouri Western
9. Rogers State
10. Central Oklahoma
11. Emporia State
[#] - First Place Votes
